OREANDA-NEWS. October 12, 2009. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Trade Aset Issekeshev met a Swiss delegation headed by Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, reported the Official website government.kz.

“Switzerland has always been our stable investor. Since our nation gained independence Swiss investments into our economy totaled USD 3 billion. There have been over 60 joint ventures established. Foreign trade between the two nations for the H1 2009 exceeded USD 2 billion, and there is a vast potential to expand ties”, the Kazakh minister said.

He also reminded that in 2005 the two nations established a Swiss-Kazakh Association and an intergovernmental committee that has so far held five sittings. Besides, he expressed gratitude to support rendered by Switzerland to Kazakhstan in its accession into the WTO.

“I want to highlight two important developments in the Kazakh economy. Firstly, we are forming a common customs union with Russia and Belarus which is to be launched Jan1, 2010. Secondly, starting from next year we will be implementing a five-year plan of accelerated industrialization; the government has defined 10 priority sectors to support. We would welcome large technology companies of Switzerland to participate in respective projects in our country”, Aset Issekeshev summed up.