WEEKLY REVIEW. Sustainable economic development means new sources of growth and opportunity for our citizens - K. Massimov
The 4th Astana Economic Forum has become the most important event of the week. This year the Forum, devoted to the theme "New Decade: Challenges and Prospects", brought together renowned political figures, economists including the Nobel laureates, representatives of large international companies and financial organizations. President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Karim Massimov and other members of the Kazakh Government participated in the Forum. Following the event, the participants adopted recommendations for the leaders of G20 countries.
The foreign businessmen expressed great interest in the VI Innovative Congress held within the Forum. According to Vice Prime Minister-Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev, the Congress has become an important platform for the Kazakh innovators. Taking the floor, the Minister noted that development of innovations and promotion of technological modernization of economy was one of the priority directions of the country's Forced Industrialization Program. The Program aims at building the national innovation system which will ensure competitiveness of Kazakhstan economy.
Following the Congress the Kazakh National Innovation Fund entered into memos of cooperation with six companies. An exhibition of domestic projects was organized within the Forum. The number of the projects this year totaled 20, 000.
Delivering a speech at one of the sessions of the Forum Minister of Economic Development and Trade Kairat Kelimbetov said that Kazakhstan plans to attract more than USD 100 bln of foreign investments in the nearest 10-15 years.
At Astana Invest-2011 investment forum, held within the 4th AEF, Prime Minister Karim Massimov said that Astana would play a key role in further development of Kazakhstan.
"Astana is a center of education and research. We opened the Nazarbayev University last year. It is the initiative to establish here the educational institution of the world level. We already have many leading partner universities including the University College London and Duke University", K. Massimov said.
The Head of the Government emphasized that the capital of Kazakhstan had become an important center of medical research and treatment. "Now we are building the hospital of future in Astana that will provide high quality services to all the people of the country", the Premier added.
According to him, the city has already established itself as a leader in the sphere of infrastructure and two economic zones have also been created for making business climate of the city very favorable. The per capita GDP is one of the highest in the country - USD 18 thousand. 11 important investment projects will be realized in the city within the next five years. The total cost of the projects is USD 15 billion.
Besides, the Forum focused on various aspects of economic integration. Thus, First Vice Prime Minister Umirzak Shukeyev said that it is impossible to withstand the challenges of increasing competition alone to date.
"President Nursultan Nazarbayev has become an initiator of Eurasian integration. Thanks to his efforts the Customs Union was established. Customs procedures have been cancelled since July of last year. All the basic documents of the Single Economic Space have also been signed," Mr. Shukeyev said.
Economic Integration Minister Zhanar Aitzhanova, in her turn, informed that Kazakhstan will prepare a new program of strategic partnership with the European Union. According to her, the program is purposed to tune up deeper economic cooperation with the EU member states in the areas of trade and investments. As for the foreign economic initiative of the Customs Union, the two rounds of talks on creation of the free trade and a wide range of investment issues with the members of the European Free Trade Association of Norway, Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Iceland were held. The CU countries are ready to offer more preferential regime for the companies of these European sates which will operate in the territory of the CU.
These days the Prime Minister held a number of sittings and meetings with officials of foreign states. In particular, on Wednesday, May 4, there was held a sitting on the issues of emergency situations, in the course of which K.Massimov urged the Ministry of Emergencies, Ministry of Communications and Information, Ministry of Science and Education, Ministry of Healthcare, Ministry of Internal Affairs and other state bodies to elaborate a detail mechanism of interaction during earthquakes.
On Thursday, May 5, Prime Minister K.Massimov participated in a presentation of the annual forecast of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP). UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Noeleen Heyzer noted that "after a moderate growth of 1.2 percent in 2009, the economy surged by roughly 7 percent in 2010. Given the favorable external environment, the economy is forecast to grow by another 6.2 percent in 2011."
In his turn, Massimov said: "We understand that the achievement of sustainable economic development means new sources of growth and opportunity for our citizens. In this manner we will bring prosperity to the generations to come. But we also understand that international competition is tough and innovation is more important than ever before. That is why we are investing in our most valuable asset - our people - by expanding access to education, raising quality standards, improving the quality of vocational training and healthcare."
The Prime Minister also noted that "Kazakhstan appreciates the opportunity stemming from greater integration with the ESCAP countries, including more efficient communication of goods and ideas, wider access to markets and strengthening of investment ties."
On Friday, May 6, Prime Minister Karim Massimov has received the mission of the International Monetary Fund. The issues concerning international economy and situation in Kazakhstan were discussed at the meeting.