Zeman advises Russia to learn economic diversification from Kazakhstan

Czech President Miloš Zeman said that Russia needed to diversify its economy like Kazakhstan did, according to Český rozhlas.

When asked about the shortcomings in the current Russian system Zeman said: "Sure. Great disadvantages. The most important thing is that Russia did not use proceeds from oil and gas exports to diversify its industries. This, by the way, is what Mr. Medvedev said as well. Russia failed to do this diversification.

"I recently visited Kazakhstan, and I'm not even talking about China, where diversification was implemented. And everything works fine there. The fact that 90% of Russian exports are raw materials is not normal," he said.

The most recent visit of the Czech President to Kazakhstan was in November last year. During the visit he called Kazakhstan an economic miracle.

"Countries that were previously considered economic miracles, such as Germany, Japan, South Korea, they can be compared with Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is the center of gravity of this economic miracle,” he said.

“I was here 12-13 years ago, as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. I can see an incredible progress. For example, in the construction of the capital. Nazarbayev has introduced me to the plans of construction by 2050. I am confident that Kazakh Yeli, as the president calls his country, will become one of the most important players in the global economy," Zeman said.

By Dinara Urazova