Kazakhstan embarks on industrialization course - PM.

ASTANA, December 21 (Itar-Tass) - Kazakhstan has embarked on a course
of industrialization amid the global financial crisis and this was a right
decision, Prime Minister Karim Masimov said on Tuesday summing up the
results of the first year of the program for accelerated industrial and
innovative development of the republic.
"Industrialization is the road towards competitive economy," he said.
"Over the first six months the republic launched 72 enterprises that
employed 12,000 citizens. Today we are launching over 80 companies that
will also employ around 12,000," he said.
Moreover, 500 small and medium businesses will start operating, the
prime minister said.
"We've made real steps towards implementing the program that will last
five years and investments will reach from 6 billion U.S. dollars to 8
billion U.S. dollars," Masimov said.

-0-isk/kud