Volume of investments in Kazakhstan in the 1st quarter of 2003 rose by 3.7%

/REUTERS, Almaty, April 14, 03/ - Volume of investments into the main capital Kazakhstan in January-March of 2003 increased by 3.7% in comparison with similar period of last year and equaled to KZT155.9 bn (a bit more than $1 bn.), informed Kazakhstan statistics agency. Growth of investments within this period was observed in 10 regions of Kazakhstan. Decrease of investments volumes within the reporting period occurred in North- Kazakhstan oblast (by 18%), Akmola oblast (by 42%), Mangistau oblast (by 34%) and West-Kazakhstan oblast (by 20%). Major sources of investments into the main capital in January-March of this year were own funds of managing subjects (57.8%) and foreign investments (34.8%). Budget means took to 7.4%. In January-March of 2003 there were spent KZT103.8 bn or two thirds of total investments volume for industry development. Priority branches are still production of oil and natural gas (52.7%), and also transport and communication (15.7%), manufacturing industry (8.2%) and transactions with real estate (7.2%). ($1=KZT151.95) [2003-04-14]