Page 18 - DIVA_No.23_2006

president Nazarbayev' policy clearly says that the European presents an opportunity to reason that we are targeting
of reforms which made countries are the most impor- open a new chapter of eco- these companies, and they are
Kazakhstan one of the most tant political and economic nomic co-operation with our most warmly invited and wel-
successful countries in the partners of our country. European partners—and with comed to come to Kazakhstan
post-soviet area. Our people Switzerland stands in the Switzerland in particular. Our to do business with us. There
voted for the stability, for the forefront, as it possesses great domestic businesses have are vast rural areas in my coun-
prosperous economy, for the economic potential and mod- started to show an interest in try; we are the sixth world pro-
better future of their children, ern technologies. I want to Switzerland. The most impor- ducer of wheat; we not only
for the strong, competitive emphasize that economic co- tant task is to encourage pos- have oil, but we have cotton
and democratic Kazakhstan. operation is of special interest itive tendencies and to bring production as well.
They voted against upheavals, for us. For instance, Swiss economic co-operation to a
interethnic conflicts, unem- technologies and investments higher level. Two months ago, here in
ployment and poverty. are highly desired in the vari- An important step in this Switzerland, we invited small
According to the assessments ous branches of our economy. direction was the inaugura- and medium business compa-
of the independent observers While the economy of tion of the Association nies to come to Kazakhstan.
from a number of countries Kazakhstan is still dependent "Switzerland-Kazakhstan" The second idea behind this
and international organiza- on the extraction sectors, we which took place in Zurich on event is the cultural aspect.
tions, these elections were have made progress in diver- 28 September 2005. The Business has to support cul-
free, transparent and honest. sifying our economy. The association brings together ture. These are the ideas behind
Swiss-Kazakhstan
All the unbiased observers leaders of Kazakhstan are businessmen and politicians the
registered no serious viola- aware of the urgent need to from our two countries, and Association that we set up in
tions of the law and con- restructure the economy and will promote bilateral co- Zurich. If people are interested
firmed the compliance of the to develop industry in the operation in various spheres. in taking part in this associa-
elections to the international fields of transport and com- The aim of the association is tion, they should just get in
standards. This is a result of munications, chemicals and simply to bring people touch with the mission here in
our strong commitment to petrochemicals. Swiss com- together, and thereby facili- Geneva.
have cooperation with all panies with a high level of tate bilateral relations.
international agencies. technological development
could contribute to the expan- Q: So, if there is a company
Q: What, in your opinion, is sion of the technology-based wishing to do business with
the place that European branches. As for the Swiss Kazakhstan, what should
countries—and Switzerland economic presence, it is note- they do?
in particular—occupy in the worthy than thirty companies
of
policy
and banks, in addition to more
foreign The answer is simple: get in
Kazakhstan? What is the than sixty joint-ventures com- touch with me! Although I
level of Switzerland's eco- panies, are active in am not a specialist in bilater-
nomic presence in your Kazakhstan. The total amount al relations, this is something
country? of Swiss investments in our I am currently learning about.
economy has exceeded However, let me say this: it is
I would like to quote the last US$500 millions. not difficult for a multina-
Annual Address by the tional company to do busi-
President of Kazakhstan, Mr. In addition, the significant ness anywhere; the problem
N. Nazarbayev to the people improvement of the economic is with small and medium-
of the republic, in which he situation in Kazakhstan also sized businesses. This is the