/IRBIS, June 9, 2010/ - One of the factors of Kazakhstan's accession to the Customs Union were to reduce the dependence of Kazakhstan on natural resource exports and increased investment in the manufacturing sector of the economy. On this day in Almaty at a special roundtable to discuss the formation of the Customs Union, said Mrs. Zhanar Aitzhanova Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

"From 1993 to 2009 in Kazakhstan was drawn more than $ 108 billion investment, if you look at the structure, the bulk of investments - 70% accounted for geological prospecting, oil and other raw materials industry. The manufacturing industry accounted for only 9.4% of total investments ", - she said, noting that "the proportion of commodity exports is enormous - 74%"

"This raises the main priority program for Kazakhstan to diversify the economy", - said the head of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

Mrs. Zh. Aitzhanova stressed those potential investors from joining the customs union will have to take into account the volume of the economy.

"When potential investors will decide to come or not come in the manufacturing sectors in Kazakhstan, they will take into account the volumes of the economy, among other factors - such as taxation, the amounts of taxes, etc. In addition, the Government, in order to support domestic manufacturers, has developed number of state programs. One of them is the "road map Business -2020", - summed the Minister.

[2010-06-09]