Canada–Kazakhstan relations
Encyclopedia
Canada–Kazakhstan relations are foreign relations between Canada and Kazakhstan
. The countries established diplomatic relations with each other in 1992. Canada has an embassy in Almaty
. Kazakhstan has an embassy in Ottawa
and a consulate in Toronto
.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
. The President of Kazakhstan
, Nursultan Nazarbayev
, made an official visit to Canada in May 2003.
established diplomatic relations with each other in 1992. Canada maintains an embassy
in Almaty
which it is currently in the process of moving to a new location in Astana
. Kazakhstan is represented in Canada through its embassy in Ottawa
. On March 31, 2009, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev
met with Canada's ex-prime minister Jean Chrétien
to discuss deepening mutual relations. After their conversation, Chrétien went on to say, “We should use new economic opportunities. It is high time to start new projects. During the talks with Kazakh President we discussed cooperation in various spheres. Kazakhstan and Canada can work together”. Also in 2009, Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov
met with Canadian Senator
Consiglio Di Nino
.
and mining, with nominal but decreasing exports of oil and gas machinery from Canada to Kazakhstan. According to Rod Lever, the Chief Representative to Russia for Export Development Canada
, "Kazakhstan has been able to develop commercial relations with Canada keyed to shared strengths in agriculture and extractive industries", and there is an increased emphasis in Canadian export of aerospace and telecommunications equipment, such as regional jets. The focus on agriculture has led to Canadian equipment gaining nearly 25 percent of the agriculture and machinery market in Kazakhstan.
Canadian exports to Kazakhstan have been growing steadily, and increased by over 50% in 2007 to reach a total of CAD $182.7 million for that year, from $138 million in 2005. As of 2008, there are 170 Canadian companies active in the market and more than forty with a permanent presence there. Canada is also among the top ten foreign investors in the country, with investments totaling more than two billion CAD.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
. The countries established diplomatic relations with each other in 1992. Canada has an embassy in Almaty
Almaty
Almaty , also known by its former names Verny and Alma-Ata , is the former capital of Kazakhstan and the nation's largest city, with a population of 1,348,500...
. Kazakhstan has an embassy in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and a consulate in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
. The President of Kazakhstan
President of Kazakhstan
President of Kazakhstan is the head of state, supreme commander-in-chief and holder of the highest office within the Kazakhstan. The authorities of this position are described in special section of Constitution of Kazakhstan....
, Nursultan Nazarbayev
Nursultan Nazarbayev
Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev has served as the President of Kazakhstan since the nation received its independence in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union...
, made an official visit to Canada in May 2003.
Political
Canada and KazakhstanKazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
established diplomatic relations with each other in 1992. Canada maintains an embassy
Diplomatic mission
A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one state or an international inter-governmental organisation present in another state to represent the sending state/organisation in the receiving state...
in Almaty
Almaty
Almaty , also known by its former names Verny and Alma-Ata , is the former capital of Kazakhstan and the nation's largest city, with a population of 1,348,500...
which it is currently in the process of moving to a new location in Astana
Astana
Astana , formerly known as Akmola , Tselinograd and Akmolinsk , is the capital and second largest city of Kazakhstan, with an officially estimated population of 708,794 as of 1 August 2010...
. Kazakhstan is represented in Canada through its embassy in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. On March 31, 2009, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev
Nursultan Nazarbayev
Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev has served as the President of Kazakhstan since the nation received its independence in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union...
met with Canada's ex-prime minister Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
to discuss deepening mutual relations. After their conversation, Chrétien went on to say, “We should use new economic opportunities. It is high time to start new projects. During the talks with Kazakh President we discussed cooperation in various spheres. Kazakhstan and Canada can work together”. Also in 2009, Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov
Karim Massimov
Karim Qajymqanuly Massimov has served as Prime Minister in the Government of Kazakhstan since 10 January 2007.Massimov is fluent in Kazakh, Russian, Chinese, English, and Arabic. He studied in China and worked in Hong Kong where he headed Kazakhstan's trading operations. At the same time, he is...
met with Canadian Senator
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
Consiglio Di Nino
Consiglio Di Nino
Consiglio Di Nino is a businessman and Canadian Senator.Born in Italy, Di Nino immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of 13...
.
Economic
Initial trade and investment between the two countries focused on agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and mining, with nominal but decreasing exports of oil and gas machinery from Canada to Kazakhstan. According to Rod Lever, the Chief Representative to Russia for Export Development Canada
Export Development Canada
Export Development Canada is Canada's export credit agency. It is a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada, which provides financing and risk management services to Canadian exporters and investors in up to 200 markets worldwide, with spread across all provinces in Canada, and...
, "Kazakhstan has been able to develop commercial relations with Canada keyed to shared strengths in agriculture and extractive industries", and there is an increased emphasis in Canadian export of aerospace and telecommunications equipment, such as regional jets. The focus on agriculture has led to Canadian equipment gaining nearly 25 percent of the agriculture and machinery market in Kazakhstan.
Canadian exports to Kazakhstan have been growing steadily, and increased by over 50% in 2007 to reach a total of CAD $182.7 million for that year, from $138 million in 2005. As of 2008, there are 170 Canadian companies active in the market and more than forty with a permanent presence there. Canada is also among the top ten foreign investors in the country, with investments totaling more than two billion CAD.