Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the largest Central Asian republic’s key economic achievements in recent years to mark Republic Day, a national holiday commemorating the country’s first step toward independence in 1991.
“Since 2019, economic growth has been about 30%. Per capita GDP has exceeded $15,000 for the first time,” Tokayev said during a public address on Friday.
He also noted that investment in the Kazakh economy reached $155 billion over the past seven years.
The president attributed these gains to economic reforms promoted by his administration, along with initiatives to diversify manufacturing, attract foreign investment, and adopt cutting-edge technologies.
Reducing reliance on raw materials
Tokayev emphasized that while Kazakhstan holds substantial reserves of hydrocarbons, uranium, and critical minerals, Astana is actively working to reduce its reliance on raw commodity exports and expand industrial output.
“Over the past five years, the share of manufacturing exports has exceeded 45%. Thus, Kazakhstan’s industry is rising to a new level of development,” he said.
In particular, he pointed to growth in railroad manufacturing — including rails, carriages, and electric locomotives — as well as the automotive sector, which now produces more than 150,000 cars and trucks annually.
Tokayev also emphasized transportation infrastructure projects that are transforming Kazakhstan into a vital Eurasian logistics hub.
He noted that the Central Asian nation is building and upgrading airports, rail terminals, bridges, seaports, and border checkpoint facilities.
Over the past seven years alone, tens of thousands of kilometers of highways and railways have been built or repaired across Kazakhstan, Tokayev said, adding that the country also links Europe and Asia in energy, transport, and digital networks.
Tokayev underscored that Kazakhstan’s active engagement in high-level international events has elevated its global standing, ranking the country 34th among the world’s most influential nations.
Constitutional reform
Tokayev noted that governance reforms rolled out in recent years — most notably the new constitution approved in March 2026 — were a major political leap forward, especially amid a difficult and unstable international climate.
“The constitution has launched a new phase of fundamental reforms, resulting in a complete overhaul of the system of state power,” he said.
He said that following the adoption of the new constitution, Kazakhstan established a unicameral parliament (Kurultai), created the office of vice president, restructured the Security Council, and formed the new People’s Council of Kazakhstan.
“In this way, we have put into practice the concept of ‘a strong president, an influential parliament, an accountable government,'” Tokayev concluded.
Kazakhstan celebrates Republic Day in honor of the Declaration on State Sovereignty adopted by the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in 1990, the initial milestone toward full independence after the Soviet Union’s collapse. EFE