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The Central Asia region includes five countries: Kazakstan,
Tajidistan, Uzekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The Central
Asian countries became independent suddenly without any preparation
in economy. Moreover, these countries were stranded under
the shackle of Soviet "division of labor" with unitary
and lopsided economic structure as well as weak economic base,
which make their economic conditions be far from complete
as an independent sovereign state. Therefore, these countries
became aware of the difficulty in economy very soon. Most
enterprises could not operate and were at a standstill. The
countries had no way to get money, which makes the finance
more difficult. From independent date up to now, the economy
of these countries are always shrouded in crisis. Of course,
it should be noticed that through the efforts of national
people for 10 years and the assistance of international community,
the five countries in Central Asia also achieved certain achievements
in economic recovery and development. Most of these countries
have already got through the most difficult period, which
should also be affirmed. Among these countries, Kazakstan
is a big nation, the economy of which develops rapidly and
is in the leading position. Therefore, the information industry
development of Kazakstan is representative among these 5 countries.
1.1 General Status of Economic Development
1.1.1 Overview
The Republic of Kazakstan lies in the northern part of Central
Asia of the former Soviet Union. It is located at the hinterland
of Europe-Asia Continent. This country is with the length
of 3000 km from east to west, the width of 1700 km from
north to south, and the territorial area of 2.7173 million
square km. It is the country with the greatest area and
richest resources in Central Asia. The population is 17
million. The capital has already been moved from Alma-Ata
to Astana.
1.1.2 General status of economy
Over the past 10 years since independence, the economic
development in Kdazakstan also passed through an arduous
course. After the disintegration of the former Soviet Union,
Kazaskstan broke off the economic links with other adjacent
countries for a time, which resulted that all economic indexes
dropped down rapidly. Especially the economic crisis of
South East Asia in 1997 and the financial storm of Russia
in 1998 attacked heavily on Kazakstan economy, which was
already very weak. As a result, Kazakstan economy attacked
heavily on Kazakstan economy, which was already very weak.
As a result, Kazakstan economy dropped down to the bottom,
and the GDP decreased 2.5%. In 1999, the GDP was US$ 14.12
billion. Only up to 2000, due to the better exterior economic
environment and series of financial adjustment measures
implemented in the country, the economic situation in Kazakstan
took a favorable turn. The GDP reached to US$ 18.41 billion,
9.6% higher than that in 1999. The GDP per capita was US$
1240.6; and the annual inflation rate was 9.8%. By the end
of 2000, in Kazakstan, gold and foreign exchange reserves
were US$ 2.1 billion, the foreign capital intake was US$
10.858 billion, and the total volume of foreign debts is
US$ 11.861 billion, reached to the highest level since independent
date.
In the first half year of 2001, based on the information
published by Kazakstan State Statistical Bureau, the GDP
increased 14% over the same period of the preceding year,
among which industrial production increased 13.6%, agricultural
increased 4.6%, communications and transport increased 7.4%,
and foreign capital intake increased 33.5%. The average
annual income per capita in Kazakstan increased actually
10%, being 16880 tengoes (about US$ 115)
The main pillar industries in the Republic of Kazakstan
are energy source, power industry, as well as agricultural
products processing industry. Kazakstan has relatively advanced
technical equipment in gelolgic exploration, excavation,
smelting, etc. Both processing industry and mechanical manufacturing
industry are underdeveloped; and the base of light industry
is unstable. In 2000, the industrial output value was US$
12.49 billion, 14.6% higher than that in the preceding year.
1.1.3 The economic development in the Republic of Kazakstan
has four main features:
Privatization is progressed rapidly. At present, the private
economy has already occupied more than 80% of national economy;
Enlarge the foreign capital intake. Since the founding of
the Republic to the end of 1998, it has received foreign
investment more than US$ 10 billion. The foreign capital
possessed per capita was US$ 400, being the first among
the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States;
Highly rely on external commodities, especially for high-tech
products, daily articles and light industry products, which
are almost substitute by the commodities from the USA, Germany,
Japan, Korea, China, and Turkey;
The development is unbalanced in different areas. Compared
with the national average level, for the inhabitant in some
petroleum producing areas, the average annual income per
capita has already approached to US$ 300. Just as what was
said by the former Economic Minister of Kazakstan:? The
index of US$ 115 per capita can not become the excuse for
our unrealistic optimism". In addition petroleum and
natural gas are the main source of foreign exchange for
Kazakstan. The price stability of energy sources in international
market has great effects on the economic development of
Kazakstan. Moreover, Kazakstan is an inland country, so
the export of energy sources is main difficult problem faced
by Kazakstan. Some analyzers believe whether the economy
of Kazakstan can maintain continuous and stable development,
it depends to a great extent on the actual quotations of
international energy source market as well as the improvement
of investment environment inside Kazakstan.
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