Reshuffles in Kazakh Government

April 11, 2011 Yerzhan Kazykhanov appointed Foreign Minister. Kazykhanov served as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs since February 2011, earlier served as an Ambassador to Austria. He replaced Kanat Saudabayev. Talgat Yermegiyaev has been appointed Minister of Tourism and Sport. He was Vice Minister of Sports since February 2, 2008. Ermegiyaev replaced Temirkhan Dosmukhambetov. Assylzhan Mamytbekov has been appointed Minister of Agriculture. Earlier he served as Chairman of the Board of KazAgro National Company. Before that the position of Agriculture Minister was held by Akhylbek Kurishbayev. First Vice Prime Minister Umirzak Shukeev, Vice Prime Minister Erbol Orynbayev and Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Industry and Technology Asset Issekeshev have retained their positions in the Government. Kairat Kelimbetov has been appointed Minister of Economic Development and Trade. He held the position as the Chairman of Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund since October 2008. Kelimbetov replaced Zhanar Aitzhanova. April 12, 2011 Timur Kulibayev has been appointed to head Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. From October 2008 he held the position of the Vice Chairman of the Board at Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. Berik Kamaliev has been appointed the new Minister of Transport and Communications. From April 2010 he held the position of the Vice Minister of Industry and Trade. Berik Kamaliev replaced Abelgazy Kussainov. Kalmukhanbet Kasymov has been appointed the new Minister of Internal Affairs. From September 2009 Kasymov headed the Ministry’s Department for East Kazakhstan. Kasymov replaced Serik Baimaganbetov. Kanat Saudabayev retained his position of the State Secretary. Earlier Saudabayev served as both State Secretary and Foreign Minister. At noon Karim Massimov conducted the 1st sitting of the newly-formed Government. Only the Justice Minister appointment is pending so far.