Growth of GDP of Kazakhstan in 1999 is evaluated by 1.7%, 2-3% expected in 2000

/IRBIS, Jan.24, 00/ - According to REUTERS, which cites the press- conference speech of Kajrat Kelimbetov, the chairman of the Strategic Planning Agency, on the provisional data the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Kazakhstan has made in 1999 1.7% in comparison with 2.5% fall in 1998. In the current year 2-3% growth is expected. At the same time Kelimbetov considers that the economic condition of Kazakhstan, which 70-80% GDP are formed by the foreign trade, will be long time determined by the external factors. As the minister has told the last week in 2000 foreign trade balance of Kazakhstan will not be changed: the positive balance of trade with non-CIS countries will be combined with negative balance of trade with Russia. At the end of 11th month of 1999 it has made about $200 million. Under the forecast of the state Strategic Planning Agency, the growth of GDP can reach six percents in the medium-term outlook, if the probable Caspian oil deposits will be confirmed. "We consider that if the Caspian oil forecasts will be confirmed, we will speak about 100 million tons of oil production, and about 5-6% annual economic gain", - has told Kelimbetov. Kelimbetov also has told that in the current year Kazakhstan expects a good harvest of grain, he has added however that the 16 million tons harvest of 1999 (twice more than in 1998) is explained many by the favorable weather. Kelimbetov has added that the agriculture ministry has developed the concept of plant cultivation development and the basic element is the grain cultures development, which are one from the main exports items.