Analysis of regional development policy in Kazakhstan: case study of the national project “Strong regions – the driver of the country’s development”

Regional development policy plays a pivotal role in shaping the socio-economic landscape of any nation, and Kazakhstan, with its diverse regions, is no exception. Like many countries, Kazakhstan grapples with regional disparities in terms of economic growth, infrastructure development, and access to basic services. Regional development policy serves as a crucial tool for addressing these disparities and promoting balanced growth across the country. This work will analyze regional development policy in Kazakhstan. The first part of the work will contain a literature review of different authors on the topic of regional development. Additionally, this part will examine successful foreign experiences of regional development policy. The second part is dedicated to the Kazakhstani case of regional development policy. Firstly, it will analyze the chronology of different policies and strategies in Kazakhstan. Then, the policy analysis of the “Strong regions – driver of country’s development” national project will be conducted. In addition, a questionnaire related to the perception of citizens about the “Strong regions – driver of country’s development” national project will be conducted and the results analyzed. For a more specific analysis, the case of Oiyl district in the Aktobe region will be examined, and an interview with the local governor conducted. As a result, the main challenges in implementing regional development policy will be identified, and future policy recommendations provided.