In this issue:
Kazakhstan Celebrates Independence Day, 13 Years of Freedom
Kazakh Trade Surplus Soars to $5.4 Billion in January-October ‘04
Traveling:
When do we leave? --- Biz kashan zhol zhuremyz?
When should we be ready? --- Biz kashan daiyn boluymyz kerek?
When do we come back? ---Biz kashan kaitamyz?
Kazakhstan Celebrates Independence Day, 13 Years of Freedom
Across Kazakhstan people celebrated the 13th anniversary of the country’s independence on December 16. The occasion was marked with all sorts of festivities, including parades, rallies, fireworks and cozy private celebrations with friends and family.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the nation from Astana on Independence Day, saying: “Our independence is what our people dreamed of for centuries. Today, we celebrate the 13th anniversary enjoying the unity of all of our peoples and the growth of both the economy and the wellbeing of the people.”
When Kazakhstan declared its independence from the Soviet Union in December 1991, omens for a young republic were not exactly favorable.
Kazakhstan faced a potent mix of problems ranging from a moribund command economy and a totalitarian society to a potentially explosive population of more than 100 ethnic groups. There were two major environmental catastrophes looming. First, several hundred thousand people were continuing to suffer from about 500 nuclear tests carried out by the Soviet Union at Semipalatinsk, which contaminated a tenth of Kazakhstan’s territory rendering it useless. The other major problem was the drying up of the Aral Sea. The reason for the problem with the Aral Sea was excessive use for agriculture of the two rivers which feed the sea. Kazakhstan also had more than 1,000 nuclear warheads on its soil left behind by the Soviets and was the world’s fourth largest nuclear power. Kazakhstan could potentially have become a source of major instability in this age of terrorism.
Thirteen years after that, Kazakhstan is a peaceful nation and has made remarkable progress. There are still problems, particularly in and around Semipalatinsk and the Aral Sea, yet worst predictions about Kazakhstan never materialized.
Instead of ethnic conflict, Kazakhstan has enjoyed stability in a diverse society. In recent years the nation has sought to share its experience of harmony and tolerance with others. Kazakhstan has developed a vibrant modern political system, and has moved far along the path to a participatory democracy with numerous elections for President and a two-chamber Parliament.
Kazakhstan today boasts a rapidly evolving and flexible market economy, based on radical reforms and privatization, as well as an abundance of oil and other natural resources. Kazakhstan, with an annual real GDP growth averaging 10 percent for the past five years, has developed into the economic powerhouse of Central Asia.
With U.S. assistance, Kazakhstan rid itself of the inherited weapons of mass destruction, becoming a strong advocate for disarmament and nonproliferation.
Finally, Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana, a city now bustling with activity and quickly turning into the symbol of modern Kazakhstan.
In his Independence Day address, President
Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan aims to achieve
“even more lofty goals” by reaching levels of
prosperity consistent with Western standards.
“We will be able to achieve this only if we
continue to preserve unity, friendship and
trust among our peoples and internal political
stability,” he stressed.
On Independence Day, the President announced
the administrative center of Astana has moved
to the left bank of the Ishim River which runs
through the city.
Several news building were inaugurated there,
including the Supreme Court and the 22 story
Majilis building, complete with a 300-seat
chamber for joint sessions of the Parliament.
Earlier this year, the Presidential Administration
and several Government ministries were also moved to the left bank of the river where the new
capital is rising.
Kazakh Trade Surplus Soars to $5.4 Billion in January-October ‘04
Kazakhstan’s trade surplus between January and October 2004 soared to US$5.444 billion, up from US$3.95 billion in the first ten months of last year against a backdrop of a 50-percent growth in the country’s overall foreign trade.
According to the Interfax news agency, officials at the State Statistics Agency said that Kazakh foreign trade, not including the so called shuttle trade, amounted to US$25.934 billion from January to October, including US$15.69 billion in exports, up 48 percent, and US$10.245 billion in imports, including transportation and insurance costs, up 54 percent.
Kazakhstan’s trade with countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States between January and October 2004 amounted to US$8.202 billion, up 51 percent year-on-year, including US$3.323 billion in exports, up 42 percent, and US$4.88 billion in imports, up 57 percent.
The trade with countries outside the CIS totaled US$17.732 billion, a growth of 50 percent, including US$12.366 billion in exports, up 49 percent, and US$5.366 billion in imports, up 51 percent.
In related news, officials of the State Statistics Agency announced earlier this month they expect the GDP to grow 9.4 percent in 2004.
Thing to Watch:
- Kazakhstan’s judo fighters to take part in the 17th World Student Judo Championship in Moscow, December 17-19, 2004.
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News Bulletin of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the USA and Canada
(Compiled from own sources and agency reports)
Contact person: Roman Vassilenko
1401 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20036
Tel.: (202) 232- 5488 ext. 104, Fax: (202) 232- 5845
