Kazakhstan, Astana, Dec.15 / Trend, K. Konyrova /
Over its 20 years of independence, Kazakhstan has created a strong economy and unified society, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said while addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the country's independence in Astana on Thursday.
"Over 20 years we have built a strong state, strong economy and a united society," Nazarbayev said.
He stressed that the country's GDP during independence years increased by 16 times.
"GDP per capita at the dawn of independence was $700, and now it his $11,000, that is, it increased by 16 times," Nazarbayev added.
He said Kazakhstan's national reserves hit about $89 billion.
"We are included in the list of countries with above average income, and such a pace of economic development is observed anywhere," Nazarbayev said.
Astana is hosting a grand meeting on the 20 - anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence with the participation of prominent politicians, MPs, scientists, intellectuals, as well as sportsmen.
The Independence Day is annually celebrated in Kazakhstan on Dec.16.