Nazarbayev calls to form strong economic ties with Netherlands

Nursultan Nazarbayev has participated in the meeting with members of the Kazakh-Dutch Friends of Kazakhstan in the Netherlands club, Tengrinews reports. The Kazakhstan president expressed interest in cooperation with Dutch companies in a whole range of areas. President Nazarbayev said, “Dutch investments to the Kazakhstani economy amount to $30 billion. The goods turnover is at $10 billion, which is the highest rate among the EU countries. At the moment, Kazakhstan is implementing an industrial and innovative strategy that has facilitated creation of more than 500 enterprises and around 600 thousand new jobs. Our country is interested in developing processing of oil, iron-containig and non-ferrous metals and producing chemicals. We prioritize such companies and help develop the infrastructure they require. In addition, we would like to cooperate in information and agriculture”. Kazakhstan is already cooperated with major French, German and Spanish companies. This has brought Kazakhstan into the top 20 countries with the largest amount of foreign investments, Nursultan Nazarbayev said. The President of Kazakhstan visited the Dutch hi-tech exhibition where companies such as Royal Ten Cate, CLAAS, Royal Dutch Shell and Royal Philips presented their projects. 13 agreements were signed during the exhibition for the total amount of €328 million ($453 million). When earlier in January President Nazarbayev had talked about strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands through establishment of a Kazakh-Dutch Business Council, he hoped to broach this question during his visit to Hague for the Nuclear Security Summit. As a part of establishment of friendly ties with Kazakhstan, Netherlands has presented a new Dutch postal stamp with an image of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. In addition, a new type of tulips was named after the President of Kazakhstan. The President of Kazakhstan arrived to Netherlands for the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague on March 23. Nazarbayevhas already met with His Majesty King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander, Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.