The resources-dependent competitive profile of Kazakhstan and its consequences for the country’s future development

The purpose of this study is: (i) to determine the competitiveness of Kazakhstan in contemporary international trade, with particular regard to the mineral resources possessed by the country; (ii) to show the consequences of Kazakhstan’s resources-dependent competitive profile for the economic development of the country; (iii) to look at measures taken by Kazakh authorities to facilitate future development. To this end, the methodology of analysing revealed comparative advantages was applied. The analysis has shown that the competitive profile of Kazakhstan in international trade is low. The country does not possess any comparative advantages in trade in the categories of high-technology and medium-hightechnology goods while its strongest advantages are in exports of mineral resources and their derivatives, which determines the resources-based character of the entire economy and makes its future development heavily dependent on developments in international resources markets.