Construction, industry and trade drivers of economic growth in KazakhstanKazakhstan's government has reviewed preliminary economic growth results for the first nine months of the year, the prime minister's press service said."Construction, manufacturing, transport and warehousing, trade and agriculture remain the main drivers of GDP growth," the press service said Monday.Manufacturing is expected to maintain its growth in the physical volume index through January-September, with machinery and chemicals providing the main contribution.In the first eight months of 2026, passenger car production in the machinery sector rose 34.2% to 117,200 units. Truck and specialized equipment output increased 18.5%, railway platform production 76.6% and passenger railcar output 40.9%. In chemicals, sulfuric acid production rose 4%, polypropylene 24.5% and ammophos 10.3%.In metallurgy, however, the physical volume index remains at 97.5%. Measures are being taken to expand the raw material base, with talks underway with potential domestic and foreign suppliers.Deputy Prime Minister and National Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin instructed officials to continue work on expanding the raw material base for the metals sector."Positive momentum continues in construction. In January-August, construction work totaled 6.1 trillion tenge, or an increase of 15.6% compared with the same period last year, with growth in 18 regions. Further growth is forecast for the nine-month period. Housing construction also continues to grow: 11.3 million square meters were commissioned in the first eight months, up 3.6% from last year. Some 12.8 million square meters are expected to be commissioned by the end of the nine months," the statement said.The transport and logistics sector also remains on a positive track. Rail shipments of grain and coal will provide the main contribution to freight growth. Grain shipments reached 13.6 million tonnes, up 3 million tonnes; coal rose 1.1 million tonnes and iron ore 2.8 million tonnes. Continued oil and gas transportation and infrastructure projects will also support growth.Trade continues to make a substantial contribution, with the physical volume index at 106% in January-August and turnover reaching 51.5 trillion tenge."Steady growth is expected over the nine months. Wholesale trade is the main driver, with turnover of 34.7 trillion tenge, helped by higher trade in metals, grain and fuel. Retail turnover hit 17 trillion tenge, with food products growing fastest," the government said.The agricultural sector is expected to demonstrate a steady growth in January-September.Positive momentum is expected to continue through year-end, driven mainly by crop production on the back of a larger oilseed harvest, with harvesting ahead of last year's pace. Livestock growth will be supported by higher milk output as modern dairy farms reach design capacity, and by increased meat production thanks to subsidized lending for feedlots.Food processing will also contribute to growth, with positive output expected for January-September due to new capacity and expanded production at existing plants.Zhumangarin stressed the importance of meeting forecast targets across all key sectors as the year's third quarter ends.Kazakhstan's GDP grew 4.1% in the first eight months of 2026 and 6.5% in 2025, according to government data. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX