Real GDP growth in 2008 amounted to 3.1%: Minister of Economy and Budget Planning

ASTANA. February 5. KAZINFORM /Bauyrzhan Mukanov/ ?In accordance with preliminary estimates, real GDP growth in 2008 was 3.1%?, Minister of Economy and Budget Planning Bakhyt Sultanov has said today at the session board of the Ministry, Kazinform reports.

?During eleven months of 2008 personal income increased by 3.4%. Anti-inflation policy of the Government, the National Bank and local executive bodies provided decrease of inflation, compared to 2007. Prices for goods and services increased by 9.5% in 2008 that is 9.3% lower than in 2007?, B.Sultanov said. ? The volume of production of industrial products rose by 2.1%. However, sales slowdown for domestic products at the foreign and national markets led to decline in production in manufacturing industry by 2.6%?, the Minister noted. According to him, another positive factor, influencing the growth of the economy in 2008 is preservation of volumes of investments. Growth of volumes of investments to the main capital amounted to 4.6%. ?In spite of the negative factors, affecting the economy development, adopted structural reforms allowed to mitigate effects of external influences and provide macroeconomic stability?, B.Sultanov added.