Kazakhstan: Socio-Economic Development, Research and Innovation

Abstract

Today Kazakhstan economically is the dominant nation of Central Asia with an estimate population close to 19 million people. Indeed, it is the region’s largest country and has in abundance of both natural and human capital resources. Kazakhstan was a Soviet Union republic the last that in 1991 to declare independence during the dissolution of the Soviet Union; therefore, all planning for its development has been strongly centralised outside of the country rather than in its own new capital Astana, now called Nur Sultan. In 1991 Kazakhstan was. With its independence, the situation in Kazakhstan has changed radically, under new popularly elected leadership, the country has committed itself  to achieving a level of  socio-political, economic, and technological development comparable to that which exists in most mid-sized economically advanced Western countries. The major vehicle for bringing about this transformation is a series of carefully constructed scenarios whose implementation turned around on extensive public-private investment and partnerships in research and development, especially thanks to the state grants that support of industrial and innovative activities. This article will discuss two scenarios currently under way that have as their shared goal the advancement of Kazakhstan’s socioeconomic development through an emphasis on human resource development and innovation.