Kazakhstan's GDP grew 4.7% in 9M - minister

ASTANA. Oct 10 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan's GDP grew 4.7% in January-September 2023, National Economy Minister Alibek Kuantyrov said.

"The real sector expanded by 3.7%, while the service sector saw an increase of 5.1%," Kuantyrov said at a government meeting in Astana.

Construction, trade, as well as information and communications grew the most.

"Foreign trade grew 4.2% to $91.1 billion in January -August 2023. Exports came to $51.2 billion, with manufactured goods contributing $16.2 billion. Imports stood at $39.8 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $11.4 billion," he said.

Capital investment rose 12.1%. Transport and logistics investment grew 59.4%, while the trade sector recorded a growth of 37.5%. Investments in education expanded by 23.7%, and agriculture experienced a boost of 12.9%. The industrial sector saw an increase of 8.2%, with mining investments growing by 4.3%.

Regionally, the best indicators were observed in the Mangistau, Turkestan, Pavlodar regions, and the Abai region.

Kuantyrov also said the manufacturing industry maintained positive growth rates across 14 regions, with a production increase of 3.2%.

Machine building rose 27.3%, with the automotive industry surging 40.8% and production of electrical equipment up 30.6%.

Food production rose 3.3%, the chemical industry saw an increase of 1.5%, and metal products 4.2%. Additionally, beverage production rose 3.2%, plastic products 6.8% and light industry 14.6%.

The extractive industry grew 5.4%: oil production sector rose 8.4%, gas 6.1% and production of other minerals 13.9%.

Mining of metal ores fell .2%, services in the mining industry dropped by 1.7%, and coal mining declined 5.7%.

Kazakhstan's GDP grew 4.9% in January-August 2023 and 3.1% in 2022.