Energy sector plays key role in Kazakhstan's economy - PM.

ASTANA, October 4 (Itar-Tass) - Energy sector is playing a key role in
Kazakhstan's dynamic economic growth, Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Karim
Masimov told the VI Eurasian forum, called KAZENERGY-2011.
He stressed that Kazakhstan plans to increase focus on production of
energy resources expecting growth of the world demand for it under
conditions of economic instability.
"We should mind that economic uncertainties will cause higher demand
for energy resources, and it is very important that the sector is able to
deliver new types and amounts of energy," Masimov said on Tuesday,
stressing that the republic "has all opportunities for production,
consumption and transit of energy."
Revival of the world economy would be slower than it was expected, he
said. "Thus it is very important to consider situation in energy markets."
Masimov is sure that in future the sector will require much
investments, as "energy projects become capital-intensive."
The prime minister highlighted the republics efforts to develop
nuclear energy.
"In July, we adopted a new programme for energy development, which
includes construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant," he said.
"The tragic events at Japan's Fukushima-1 open new opportunities for us to
think about development of the sector."
"We believe, its lessons should favour security of the energy sector."
Masimov said that the world energy system "faces the period of
uncertainty," and it happens "not for the first time."