Astana. May 16. Kazakhstan Today - Real GDP growth rate in 2008 is expected to reach the level of 5.3 %. The Minister of Economics and Budgetary Planning Bakhyt Sultanov informed today at the government session in Astana, the agency reports. "According to the specified assessment, rate of real GDP growth in 2008 is expected to be at the level of 5.3 % that corresponds to forecasted parameters of growth in the interval of 5-7 % for the intermediate term period stated in the joint statement of the government, the National Bank and the Agency for Financial Supervision in the beginning of current year," B. Sultanov said. According to the Minister of Economics, "positive factors influencing economic situation are a significant rise in prices for oil and other export items of Kazakhstan."