Kazakhstan, Astana / Trend corr. K.Konirova / Lately, the Netherlands has maintained its status as the largest investor in Kazakhstan, Klaas van der Tempel, Ambassador of Nederland in Kazakhstan, stated in the event dedicated to the Day of the Queen of Netherlands in Astana.
"In 2007, the Netherlands was in the lead regarding the volume of investments in the economy of Kazakhstan ($3bln). The trade turnover between the countries has increased and totaled € 650mln," the Ambassador stated.
Tempel stated that the visits of Saut Minbayev, the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Shkolnik, Industry and Trade Minister, and Nurlan Iskakov, the Environment Protection Minister, are expected in the Netherlands at the end of May.
Tempel added that the parkway decorated with 20,000 Dutch tulips near the capital symbol of Bayterek and the ice rink would be presented during the forthcoming anniversary of Astana. "I skated in Imish and Medeo this winter and noticed that a number of residents of Kazakhstan are interested in skating as a sport. We will improve it," he said.
Temple added that the Dutch designers are planning to construct an ice rink in Astana soon. There are also plans to upgrade the Medeo ice rink to make it one of the fastest rinks in the world.
"Our Education Minister and Government want to see more students from Kazakhstan receive their education in the Netherlands. In 2007, representatives of several DutchUniversities visited Astana and Almaty. I heard from Kazakhstan students that a comfortable environment was created for them in the Netherland and they were free to travel alongside the country," Temple stated.
"I have a surprise for those who think that the Dutch appeared in Kazakhstan in the 20th century. At the end of the 17th Century the Dutch diplomatic representative, Evert Aysbrants Ides was going from Russia to Kazakhstan. Ides described Kazakh militants as warlike, strong, tall and wide-faced" Tempel stated.
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