BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 11. The production growth in the field of machine industry was recorded at 9.4 percent last year in Kazakhstan, while in the first four months of this year, the growth reached 36 percent, Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said at the 11th Forum of Kazakhstan Machinery Manufacturers, Trend reports via the PM's Office.
According to Smailov, Kazakhstan currently continues its policy of industrializing the country, diversifying the economy, and reducing import dependence. He added that the local machinery-building industry,has been and remains the focus of Kazakhstan's government.
At the same time, he also said that the demand in the machinery products market of Kazakhstan is estimated at $23 billion, of which only $3.1 billion is provided by local production. In this regard, there is significant potential for industry growth through import substitution.
"We are facing the task of increasing the competitiveness of machine-building enterprises by creating affordable financial instruments, introducing new technologies, increasing local content, and promoting exports," Alikhan Smailov said.
The forum was also attended by the heads of the Presidential Administration, central government agencies, akimats (administrations) of regions, MPs of the Parliament and Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, representatives of foreign states, entrepreneurs, and industry experts.
