Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf visits Kazakhstan
Bern, 10.07.2014 - From 8 to 10 July, Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf visited Kazakhstan as the third country included in her trip to Central Asia. Prime Minister Karim Massimov received Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf in Aktau for a courtesy visit. In Astana and together with Finance Minister Bakhyt Sultanov, the Head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) signed an exchange of letters supplementing the 2010 double taxation agreement as well as an agreement on technical cooperation between the two finance ministries. Also in Astana, Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf met Yerlan Idrissov, the Foreign Minister for talks. In Almaty, Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf exchanged views with National Bank Governor Kairat Kelimbetov on the topic of collaboration in the Bretton Woods institutions.
Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf spoke with Prime Minister Karim Massimov about the prospects of further economic integration within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union and the possibilities for greater regional cooperation in Central Asia. She also learned of the efforts Kazakhstan has been making to strengthen foreign investment.
The topics discussed with Finance Minister Sultanov included the strengthening of the budget process and cooperation between the two finance ministries. To step up cooperation, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding. They also signed an exchange of letters supplementing the 2010 double taxation agreement, which governs the exchange of information in tax matters in accordance with the Global Forum.
In talks with Foreign Minister Idrissov, bilateral relations and collaboration in the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) were discussed.
In Almaty on 9 July, Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf spoke with Central Bank Governor Kelimbetov about both countries' collaboration in the joint constituency in the IMF and World Bank. She was informed of efforts to strengthen the monetary policy framework and the supervision of the Kazakh banking sector. Also in Almaty, Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf met with representatives of Swiss companies active in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan joined the Swiss constituency in the IMF and World Bank in autumn 2010. Bilateral relations between the two countries have intensified since then.Address for enquiries
Roland Meier, Media Spokesperson FDF
Tel.: +41 58 462 60 86, roland.meier@gs-efd.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Department of Finance
https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html