ASTANA. March 15. KAZINFORM /Kenzhebolat Zholdybay/ When I was deputy municipal administrator of Ulytay district of Karaganda region in 1997 and 1998, I often had to deal with social issues. It was difficult time. For months, people had to cope with delay and shortage of wages, pensions and social benefits. Recalling that period through the prism of today, we are convinced of the wisdom of Head of the State Nursultan Nazarbayev about the necessity to develop long-term Strategy of Development of Kazakhstan till 2030.

 History has proved once again that great statesman and strategist should be able to consider things in the long term perspective, should have an overall plan, to be consistent with time in order to make possible tomorrow what is impossible today. The adoption of this program allowed raising the question of the use of the best elements of government regulation and market yet in the late nineties.

Today we can say that during the global financial crisis the economic model of Kazakhstan has demonstrated its effectiveness, sustainability and viability. It has successfully overcome the turbulent period, when many countries were in dire straits. Only in the U.S. 140 largest companies - the giants of the world economy went bankrupt. As a result, unemployment in the U.S. reached a record level - 7,2% over the past 16 years. In the UK 1.97 million people lost jobs. In Russia 9 people were dismissed per minute, and now 1.7 million people sit idle. It was also difficult for us, because we are strongly involved in the global economy. Nevertheless, in 2009 gross domestic product grew by 1,1%, including 1,7% in industry.

And now our economy is in transition to the next stage of its development, which many call "post-crisis". It should be clearly understood that the post-crisis development of Kazakhstan is not something new, it is a continuation of the policy, which was founded by the President of the country in 1997 and called "Strategy 2030". I think it is quite natural that in the new President's message "New Decade - New Economic Growth - New Opportunities of Kazakhstan" the Head of the State formulated the objectives for the next 10 years - until 2020, as part of the Strategy "Kazakhstan 2030". And how we go through the next ten years will depend on whether we turn into the Asian leopard and become one of the world's leading countries. Naturally, the path to such leadership requires a solution of difficult tasks. There were five key priorities of the country set in the President's Address to the Nation. We have to 1) prepare the economy for the post-crisis development, 2) achieve sustainable economic growth through forced industrialization and infrastructure development,  3) actively invest in the future for improving the competitiveness of human capital; 4) provide Kazakhstan with qualitative social and housing and communal services, 5 ) strengthen interethnic accord, improve national security,  further develop international relations.

In order to support the accelerated industrialization further four budget programs were developed: "Business Road Map - 2020" - for business development in the regions, "Exporter - 2020" - for promotion of non-commodity sectors, "Productivity - 2020" - for technological upgrading and productivity of the economy and "Investment - 2020 "- for attraction of major investors and multinational companies. It should be noted that the program of forced industrial-innovative development integrates all the basic provisions of the Strategy of Industrial and Innovation Development for 2003-2015, the program "30 Corporate Leaders of Kazakhstan'', the Transport Strategy and other policy instruments in the field of industrialization.

Another important fact is that the state, despite the crises, could return to its ownership the significant assets, which were sold when the situation in the country was very difficult. In particular, it has returned control over the Ekibastuz Hydro Power Plant-1, "Bogatyr" mine, Kazakhstan's share in the company "MangystauMunayGaz" and in Kashagan and over all oil refineries in the country.

The National Fund serves as a kind of "safety cushion"; it will continue to remain the guarantor of stability and prosperity. Thus it was decided to take no loans from the National Fund, except for the guaranteed transfer in absolute size - eight billion dollars, provided for the industrialization implementation. With such an approach, and taking into account the fact that in 2012 Kazakhstan plans to enter the top ten world exporters of oil, the assets of the National Fund in 2020 should increase to USD 90 billion, which is not less than 30% of the GDP. I have no doubt that it is quite real and achievable task, because in the past ten years, GDP grew from USD 22 to 106 billion, nearly five times! So, under favorable circumstances both in the world and domestic economies, achievement of the GDP growth to USD 300 billion does not seem to be a problem.

Our country with its powerful economic potential will enable us to feel confident within the newly established Custom Union of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus. Despite some warnings, there will be more positive effects from the Customs Union than the negative ones for Kazakhstan. Thus, the elimination of customs barriers for the transit of goods and services within the customs area will stimulate economic activity and increase trade turnover. In addition, in the long run under a single economic space scientific-technical and production potential of enterprises producing products with high added value will be combined. This is a very important step towards the new industrialization of our countries. The investment climate of the three countries will change substantially, since foreign investors will have a new market with a population of more than 170 million people. Also, the creation of Single Customs Space of the three states will let to have 14-17 percent of GDP growth by 2015.

Certainly, a skilled workforce and competent people should build smart economy of the 21st century. In my opinion, we should understand the time of strong professionals has come. From this point of view, I think it is timely that our Head of the State announced that graduates of "Bolashak" Program should start professional experience in the regions, not staying in big cities and the capital.

In the Strategy "Kazakhstan-2030" the President pointed out that our descendants will live in the country that will emerge from the shadows. And the fact that we have taken the OSCE Chairmanship in 2010, speaks eloquently of the coming of these times. We can say Kazakhstan has taken a worthy place in the world race and rushes forward. And the most important thing, as the Head of State pointed out in his message: if we want to succeed, the state and each citizen should reject any step, both inside and outside the state, that could affect the stability and prosperity of Kazakhstan.