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News Bulletin No 37, October 17, 2007
Date: 24.10.2007
www.kazakhstanembassy.org.uk
POLITICS
EU is interested in deepening the cooperation with Kazakhstan – Solana
The European Union is interested in deepening the cooperation with Kazakhstan, said on briefing after the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Marat Tazhin the EU Council Secretary General Xavier Solana on 10 October, 2007.
“The visit aims to deepen cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU", - pointed out Xavier Solana admitting that "Kazakhstan is extremely important country for the EU". He also underlined that the EU intends "to further on promote the new strategy for cooperation with Central Asia". "We would like to present this strategy more in detail and start its realization", - he said."
In his turn the Minister of Foreign Affairs Marat Tazhin also stated the interest of Kazakhstan in development the relations with the European Union saying that "the EU is main trade partner of Kazakhstan". According to what he said, in 2006 the reciprocal trade turnover amounted USD 22,7 billion, and in the first half of 2007 amounted USD 12 billion.
"We consider the visit of the EU Secretary General Xavier Solana as additional impulse for the concretization process in achieved agreements", - underlined Marat Tazhin.
As stated the Minister, during the talks with the EU Secretary General parties have examined "a number of questions of Kazakhstan interaction with the EU in economic, energy spheres, in international and regional problems solving".
As reported earlier, the EU Secretary General, EU High Representative on CFSP, Xavier Solana visits Astana in the frames of his tour on Central Asia.
Kazakhstan On Course for 2030
Article from the PRNewswire
President Nursultan Nazarbayev participates in the International Conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Strategy “Kazakhstan-2030” that took place in Astana on 12 October, 2007. "For 10 years, 'Kazakhstan-2030 Strategy' has proved to be effective and viable. We have ensured a breakthrough in the nation's development and managed to accomplish tasks that normally take several decades. 'Strategy 2030' has irrevocably changed the paradigm of our development from survival model to robust growth model".
Kazakh leader informed delegates that Kazakhstan's GDP has grown nearly 5-fold - to reach US$ 100 billion. "GDP per capita for the same period has increased 3.7 times and is expected to reach US$ 7000 in 2007" he said. The President emphasized that capital investments have been on the rise every year; foreign direct investments have grown to over USD 70 billion, which constitutes 80% of the total investments into Central Asia economies. "International reserves, including the National Oil Fund's money, exceed US$ 40 billion. If we recall that we started with an empty public treasury, the achievements are not scant" said the President.
"Kazakhstan's foreign trade turnover has grown more than 6 times over the last ten years; this year the figure will reach US$ 80 billion. We can boldly assert that Kazakhstan has successfully completed its transit period and is ready and capable of ensuring new quality growth in the years to come. In the future," continued Mr Nazarbayev, "the state needs to shape 'smart' economy which would follow global changes and trends."
The President added that large-scale, long-term investments should be attracted into the Kazakh processing industries in order to ensure economy modernisation. "The state will be putting in place all the legal, administrative and other conditions to bolster innovation and ensure structural realignment of the economy". The President called on subsoil investors to invest in the nation's processing industries. "Of course," he continued, "they will own stakes in the new entities."
President Nazarbayev stated that by 2010 oil production output will reach 80 million tons, rising to 130 million tons by 2015 (internal demand stands at 25 million tons). Gas production is expected to reach 40 billion cubic meters by 2010 - reaching 80 billion cubic meters by 2015.
The President announced that Kazakhstan intends to adhere to its multi-vector energy export policy. "Kazakhstan intends to further diversify routes to supply its hydrocarbons to international markets and relies on the EU's assistance in this... Kazakhstan is fully aware of its responsibility for ensuring global energy balance and energy security. As early as 2017, we will feature on the world's top ten list of hydrocarbon exporters and this position will further define the economic role to be played by Kazakhstan."
The President reminded delegates that at the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly last month he recommended "adopting a Eurasian pact for energy security."
ECONOMY
Kazakhstan to Increase Export Volumes of Grain via Iran
Kazakhstan is interested in supplies of grain to Iran. So, since the beginning of 2007 Kazakhstan has already exported 187,000 tons of grain to Iran. At the moment, working groups of Kazakhstan and Iran work over the preparations of transit operations of Kazakh grain via Iran to the third countries.
One of the most successful examples of the regional cooperation is project of railway line building. This railway would allow Kazakhstan to get access to the Persian Gulf. The total length of the road that unites Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkmenistan would be 650 km. The volume of grain transported via this road would be about 3-5 mln tons of cargoes annually during the first years of operation. On prospects, they should increase up to 10-12 mln tons per year.
EBRD intensifies activities in Kazakhstan
Bank signs Memorandum of Understanding with development fund Kazyna
Building on a strong and successful cooperation the EBRD and Kazakhstan are intensifying their activities. During his first visit to the country, EBRD First Vice President Varel Freeman has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kairat Kelimbetov, CEO of the Sustainable Development Fund Kazyna.
In the Memorandum of Understanding both parties express the wish to increase their cooperation in order to improve governance and operations of development institutions of the Fund. The aim of the cooperation is to make these enterprises more market-orientated and consistent with international best practice and to enhance corporate governance and accountability. This is in accordance with the EBRD latest strategy for Kazakhstan, adopted in November 2006. Potential involvement of the EBRD as an investor to development institutions, in particular the Investment Fund of Kazakhstan, is being considered.
In its strategy the Bank has identified the diversification of the economy and the promotion of competition as strategic orientations. The EBRD is also exploring ways to strengthen the country’s energy security by enhancing energy efficiency.
During his visit to Kazakhstan, Mr Freeman has met government ministers and representatives of the business community and will also hold talks with Prime Minister Karim Massimov.
This year alone the Bank has already signed 20 projects worth over US$520 million in the country, including a $100 million loan to Mittal Temirtau, a $55 million long-term financing package to Kagazy Recycling and a $42 million loan to Karcement. The EBRD Board will discuss a $30 million-loan to the Pavlodar power plant later this year to upgrade operations and energy efficiency.
Since the start of its operations in Kazakhstan, the EBRD has invested more than US$2.2 billion in the country, helping to create jobs and improve the transparency of its clients.
The Sustainable Development Fund Kazyna, managing company and only shareholder of the development institutions Development Bank of Kazakhstan, Investment Fund, National Innovation Fund, Small Business Development Fund, Marketing and Analytical Research Centre, Kazakhstan Centre for Investment Promotion and State Insurance Corporation for Export Credits and Investments was established in April 2006 to increase investments and innovations in non-raw material sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy to diversify and enhance competitiveness of the economy. In 2007, the cumulative authorized stock of the development institutions stood at US$ 1.8 billion (as of June 1, 2007).
OTHER NEWS
Area phone codes in Kazakhstan changed as of October 5
Please note that area phone codes in Kazakhstan have been changed as of October 5.
The first digit “3” in all the area codes in Kazakhstan has been changed for “7”.
In other words, if you make a call to Almaty, for instance, you should dial “7272” before a phone number instead of the old area code “3272”.
The country code remains the same: +7. To make an international call now to Kazakhstan please dial:
Astana: +7-7172 – local 6 digit phone number
Almaty: +7-7272 – local 6 digit phone number (if the local Almaty number has 7 digits starting with “2” then instead of “7272” dial simply “727” preceded by “+7”).
New local area codes for Kazakhstan’s main cities:
Karagandy (7212), Uralsk (7112), Atyrau (7122), Aktobe (7132), Kostanay (7142), Petropavlovsk (7152), Kokshetau (7162), Pavlodar (7182), Semey (7222), Oskemen (7232), Kyzylorda (7242), Shymkent (7252) Taraz (7262)
Bruyneel to Head New Look Astana Cycling Team
Former Discovery Channel team manager Johan Bruyneel is to head the new look Astana team next season, the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation (KCF) said on Friday. "The KCF is steadfast in its support of the Astana Team as a part of its global strategy to promote cycling in Kazakhstan," they said in a statement.
"The KCF sought out Johan Bruyneel, arguably the most accomplished sports director in the history of cycling. Bruyneel who has eight Tour de France titles to his name will take on the role as Astana Pro Cycling team general manager beginning in 2008."
Bruyneel was quoted as saying: "After the 2007 season, this team had no choice but to make big changes if it wanted to continue, and I am proud to be the person they have chosen to lead this programme."
After doping related incidents financial backers KCF have subscribed to the anti-doping programme developed by doctor Rasmus Damsgaard and used by Team CSC in 2007. "The Damsgaard anti-doping system is currently the most effective and comprehensive program available," the statement added. The roster of riders has yet to be agreed but will not include any of the riders implicated in doping earlier in the season.
Tour de France winner Alberto Contador said he was close to agreeing to join Astana earlier this week.
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