Astana, Kazakhstan, August 7
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
An honorary consulate of Kazakhstan opened in Melbourne, according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
"The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Singapore and in combination in Australia Erlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Australia, Bronwyn Bishop have officially opened the honorary consulate of Kazakhstan in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), " the report said.
The opening ceremony was attended by leaders of the upper and lower chambers of the Parliament of Victoria - Bruce Atkinson and Christine Fyffe, and several other prominent members of political, academic and business circles of the country.
Ambassador Baudarbek-Kozhatayev handed a patent of honorary consul to Australian businessman Andrew Ferneyhough, who is the founder of the Kazakh community in Australia and the President of Kazakhstan-Australian Chamber of Commerce, according to the report.
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Fyffe in turn, expressed confidence on behalf of the Victoria state`s government that the opening of the honorary consulate will lead to intensification of trade and economic cooperation. Fyffe also noted that she will recommend to her colleagues to create inter-parliamentary league of friendship with Kazakhstan.
The capital of the Victoria state - Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia and the largest seaport in the continent, the most important industrial and financial center in the Asia-Pacific region.