President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s state-of-the-nation address, Strategy Kazakhstan 2050: a new policy of the established state, on December 14, 2012, highlighted the country’s achievements during its years of independence and set strategic goals for decades to come.
The new programme, based on the progress of the state, summarises the results of Strategy 2030 and puts forward the concept of future development, supplementing it with new tasks. The document shows the world Kazakhstan’s determination to confront challenges and sends a signal that the country will continue in accordance with its position to develop a market economy and democracy, as well as conduct its foreign policy as a regional leader.Strategy Kazakhstan 2050 takes a pragmatic approach in addressing political, economic and social issues. The document clearly outlines steps to liberalise the economy, in which entrepreneurship is designated a driving force. The first five-year period of the Programme of accelerated Industrial-Innovative Development is approaching its end, so the president has instructed the government to develop a plan for the next phase of industrialisation.
The successful implementation of the strategic objectives set by the president for the next decade and Kazakhstan’s leadership in Central Asia are possible with a competitive economy, which is achieved through innovation and the development of human potential. Essentially, Kazakhstan is entering a new stage of development: the stage of forming the foundations of the economy of the future; of using new technologies, ideas and approaches; of innovative development and increased competitiveness, modernisation and diversification of production.
Today, the world has formed a new type of economic development based on the skilful use of knowledge and innovation. It is no secret that resources of many developed countries account for only 5 percent and industrial capital for 18 percent of their economies and the main role is given to knowledge. So innovation activity in Kazakhstan, based on new ideas and the introduction of technologies and new types of products in all industries, including the sphere of social management, are essential factors in the development of the country’s economy.
The dominant role there belongs to innovation centres. Currently, we are creating a layered national innovation system, which includes technological and scientific parks, special economic zones and zones of high technology. The purpose is to form clusters in the most promising sectors of the economy and open productions with high added value, based on the use of advanced technologies and innovations.
Technology parks are being created in cities with available networks of scientific and industrial organisations and high technological potential. An illustrative example of this is the Alatau Park of Information Technology. Visiting the plants of the industrial park in early June of this year, President Nazarbayev stressed that a new law in support of the Alatau technology park will be adopted to allow it to operate in stand-alone mode.
In support of innovative development and in line with the objectives set by the president, the parliament has adopted a number of bills, including the laws “On special economic zones” and “On amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on issues of industrial innovation.”
Successfully operating industrial parks will allow Kazakhstan to better use its available scientific and technical capacity and financial and human resources. At the same time, it will contribute to solving social and economic problems, in particular in the field of employment and in achieving sustainable economic growth in the regions and the state as a whole.
EXPO 2017 in Astana aims to demonstrate the achievements of Kazakhstan’s industrial revolution and pave the way for technological and cultural transformation in Central Asia and beyond. It will be a significant impetus for the innovative development of Kazakhstan.
In general, the introduction of innovative technologies in many ways facilitates different processes that lead to the dynamic development of society. It is impossible to manufacture competitive products without using new discoveries and mechanisms. The use of innovations is a determining factor in competitiveness. Therefore, defining the country’s development according to the rhythms of the technological revolution, the president once again confirms his status as national leader, with an ambitious strategic vision for Kazakhstan’s development and ways of solving internal problems and external threats.
Due to his initiatives, the international community appreciates and recognises the country’s success on its path to economic modernisation. The president’s ideas were widely supported by prominent members of the recent Sixth Astana Economic Forum and the First World Anti-Crisis Conference.
The main directions of state policy in the address determine the legislative work of the parliament. In the recent session, part of the president’s initiatives announced in the address were implemented by the parliament through the adoption of such laws as “On public service,” “On the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan,” “On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on issues of local self-government” and “On amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the division of powers between governments.” All these laws are designed to improve the lives of our citizens.
The author is head of the representation of the President of Kazakhstan in the Parliament of Kazakhstan.
