IMF Concludes 2021 Article IV Consultation with Republic of Kazakhstan

Washington, DC: On April 4, 2022, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1]with the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan's economy has recovered from the initial effects of the COVID pandemic. Real GDP grew by 4 percent in 2021, following a 2.5 decline in 2020. Substantial buffers and policy space enabled the authorities to mitigate the impact of the shock on livelihoods and economic activity. Progress in vaccinations also contributed to the recovery, and activity returned to its pre-COVID level in 2021. However, spillovers from the war in Ukraine will affect growth and fuel inflationary pressures in 2022. Together with the ongoing pandemic and heightened social tensions, they raise substantial uncertainty about economic prospects. In the long term, sustainable growth will require greater economic diversification and decisive actions to tackle climate-related challenges.

The authorities plan to return to fiscal consolidation to preserve buffers once the recovery is entrenched. The set of fiscal rules has been expanded aiming to safeguard sustainability and intergenerational equity and promote a countercyclical policy framework. Facing elevated external spillovers and inflation pressures, the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) raised its policy rate and signaled possible further tightening if needed in 2022. Banks weathered the COVID crisis well, but the withdrawal of support measures and a rapid pickup in consumer lending have led to intensified financial supervision. The government, NBK, and financial regulatory agency are strengthening their cooperation and policy coordination.

The social unrest in early 2022 has provided new impetus for structural reforms. Key priorities announced by the authorities are to raise economic growth and inclusion by promoting economic diversification, private sector development, and improved governance. The authorities are also committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent in 2030 (relative to the 1990 level) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Given the multiplicity of reform needs, a Supreme Council for Reforms, chaired by the President, was created to strengthen reform prioritization and implementation.

Executive Board Assessment[2]

Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They commended the authorities for their well-coordinated policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which supported a strong recovery in 2021. Directors noted that activity is being affected by spillovers from the war in Ukraine, while downside risks to the outlook have increased, including from the recent social unrest. In this context, they concurred that continued fiscal support is warranted in 2022 and that, amid sustained price pressures, further monetary tightening may be necessary to anchor inflation expectations. Over the medium term, Directors underscored the need to safeguard policy buffers and lay the groundwork for more diversified, private sector-led, inclusive, and green economic growth.

Directors emphasized the need for gradual medium-term fiscal consolidation to preserve buffers. To achieve this, they noted that strengthening revenue administration should be complemented by reforms to raise the VAT rate, broaden the tax base, and introduce a progressive income tax. Directors recommended enhancing public expenditure efficiency and public sector transparency. They also concurred that streamlined fiscal rules would support sustainability, intergenerational equity, and policy flexibility.

Directors commended the central bank for its commitment to a fully-fledged inflation targeting regime, which along with exchange rate flexibility, will help absorb shocks. They stressed that strengthening monetary policy effectiveness requires continued efforts to enhance the central bank's policy independence and credibility, improve its analytical framework and communications, develop domestic capital markets, and reduce dollarization. Directors agreed that the enhanced coordination between monetary and fiscal policies should also help curb inflation.

Directors underscored that financial sector policy should continue to balance supporting the economic recovery and safeguarding financial stability. They called for careful monitoring of risks, including from bank liquidity pressures and fast-growing consumer lending, and for further efforts to strengthen risk-based supervision and the bank resolution framework. Directors encouraged the authorities to carefully consider the implications of introducing a central bank digital currency.

Directors emphasized the need for accelerated structural reforms and greater economic diversification to make long-term growth sustainable and inclusive. They saw a need to reduce the state's footprint in the economy, including by reassessing and reducing the role of state-owned enterprises and by ensuring a level playing field for competition. Considering the recent social unrest, Directors called for accelerated reforms to improve governance, address corruption vulnerabilities, and strengthen the business environment.

Directors welcomed the authorities' commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. While noting that increasing carbon taxation would provide adequate incentives and help finance a smooth and inclusive transition, Directors stressed the importance of proceeding gradually to allow time to reinforce social safety nets and for the private sector to adjust.