British-Kazakh relations By RUPERT GOODMAN Chairman of the British Kazakh Society and FIRST

he British-Kazakh Society is delighted Kazakhstan’s possible accession to the WTO. to welcome Prime Minister Karim The British-Kazakh relationship is flourishing and Massimov and his high level delegation we are fortunate in having two very distinguished to the United Kingdom. This historic Ambassadors in and Carolyn visitT is particularly timely and will help focus the Browne. Both of whom are doing much to strengthen attention of international business leaders, financiers further the bilateral relationship. and policy makers on the many trade and investment Following the success of David Cameron’s visit to opportunities that exist in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan in June 2013, President Nazarbayev’s The British-Kazakh Society aims to play an subsequent private visit to the UK and the excellent important role in promoting the best of relations opportunities afforded by HE Karim Massimov’s RUPERT GOODMAN between the UK and Kazakhstan. This includes current visit - we at the British-Kazakh Society are was educated at Eton highlighting trade and investment opportunities as well ready to redouble our efforts in promoting cooperation and Trinity College, as promoting cooperation and understanding between and understanding with government and industry Cambridge. He is the government and industry, at all levels. in Kazakhstan. We also place a strong emphasis on Founder of FIRST and With its strategic geographic location and dominant promoting cultural and educational exchange. Chairman of the Board. position in Central Asia, Kazakhstan has developed an The prospects for British Kazakh relations are He sits on a variety of important international role and offers the international therefore very exciting and the British-Kazakh Society boards and Trusts. He is investment community significant opportunities. Over will seek to play its part in further developing the a Vice-President of FFI, the past fifteen years, the Kazakh economy has grown bilateral relationship in cooperation with our patrons, and a Founder Trustee at around 7 per cent per annum. GDP has increased who include His Excellency President Nazarbayev. of the British-Kazakh 16 fold in the past twenty years and GDP per capita The Prime Minister, David Cameron, stated in the Society to which he was is more than US$12,000. In 1993 it was just US$700. official report of his visit to Kazakhstan “I believe that elected Chairman in Between 1993 and 2013, Kazakhstan attracted over Britain and Kazakhstan can, by working together on 2013. He is a member of US$170 billion of foreign direct investment. Kazakhstan new and ambitious joint projects in the future, help the Development Board expects to export some 100 million tonnes of oil per each other succeed in the global race.” All those of Artes Mundi and year requiring billions of US dollars of investment. connected with British-Kazakh relations will, I am founded the Responsible Kazakhstan’s economic transition has been underpinned certain, take up the Prime Minister’s challenge and Capitalism Programme in by its natural resource wealth but there is now a focus on work hard to promote the best of relations between 2000. He was appointed economic diversification. our two countries. The British-Kazakh Society stands a Deputy Lieutenant Major investment opportunities exist in the non ready to play its part in this important endeavour. F of Greater London in oil/gas sector, stimulated by the government’s desire 2012 and received a for greater economic diversification. Priority sectors London Metropolitan include construction, engineering, infrastructure Police Commissioner’s development, the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals/ Commendation in 2013. medical equipment, mining/the extractive sector and He has edited a number knowledge based industries. of books including I first visited Kazakhstan shortly after independence, co-editing (with Lord and have had a chance to witness the country’s many Cormack) Responsible significant changes and achievements over the past Capitalism. twenty or so years. Kazakhstan’s transformation has been extraordinary. The country’s Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010 was considered a great success and Rupert Goodman, the launch of the Strategic Partnership between the Rt Hon David Cameron mp, UK and Kazakhstan provides important opportunities Prime Minister, especially in bilateral trade and investment. Kazakhstan and President will host both in Astana as well as the World Student Games in the same year. There is also 5

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