Daniyal Akhmetov

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Daniyal Kenzhetayevich Akhmetov (Kazakh: Дaниял Кенжетaйұлы Ахметов) (born 15 June, 1954 in Pavlodar) has been the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan since 13 June, 2003.<ref name=PROFILE>New Kazakh Prime Minister chosen Templeton Thorp</ref> Critics refer to him as "The Terminator," a nickname he gained as Akim (Governor) of Pavlodar Province, for his actions in suppressing supporters of Ghalymzhan Zhaqiyanov, the previous Akim.<ref name=TERMINATOR>New Kazakh Government Formed, Sets Out Priorities. RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty</ref>

1 Background
2 Appointment
3 Petroleum law changes
4 Kazakhstan-South Korea relations
5 Kazakhstan-Tatarstan relations
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Background

Akhmetov is an ethnic Turk. He has degrees in construction engineering and economics. Prior to his appointment as Prime Minister, he served as the deputy prime minister for industry, energy, transport, and communications from 2001-2003.<ref name=PROFILE/> He managed to push through the land reform bill^{[citation needed]} that his predecessor, Imangali Tasmagambetov, is rumored to have resigned over.<ref name=TERMINATOR/>

[edit] Appointment

President Nursultan Nazarbaev nominated Akhmetov for the Prime Ministership to a joint session of parliament on 13 June. Nazarbaev gave a speech saying the prime minister needed to have experience in provincial government because the nation needed to speed up the pace of social and economic development. Akmetov was approved by 36 of 39 senators and 73 of 77 members of the Mazhilis.<ref name=PROFILE/>

Akhmetov told the parliament he wanted continuity in policy despite the change in government, and said that Kazakhstan is "building a state governed by the rule of law where everyone has the right to freedom of conscience and expression, but that everyone should work within the law." He said there should not be dissidence, only constructive dialogue and mutual understanding, and called for everyone to engage in presidential economic programs.<ref name=PROFILE/>

[edit] Petroleum law changes

Akhmetov has worked to change Kazakhstan's petroleum laws despite strong opposition from foreign companies. In May 2004, he received a letter from 47 foreign oil companies, including ChevronTexaco, ExxonMobil, Shell, the BG group, and ENI, complaining that the proposed changes would negatively affect future investment. The companies specifically took issue with local content requirements, which were described as "unnecessarily burdensome" and that a requirement for KMG to own at least 50% of any development "may not be advisable in all circumstances."<ref name=PETROL>KAZAKHSTAN - Decision Makers - Daniyal Akhmetov. All Business</ref>

[edit] Kazakhstan-South Korea relations

Main article: Kazakhstan-South Korea relations

Akhmetov met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Myeong Sook on 23 September, 2006 in Astana and signed several bilateral agreements enhancing economic ties. The Government of South Korea agreed to invest an additional $2 billion in joint projects in the energy, uranium-extraction, construction, transportation, and banking sectors. Akhmetov offered South Korea the option of participating in developing a new type of nuclear reactor. South Korean investors have stakes in more than 300 Kazakhstan-based companies. Han invited President Nazarbayev to visit South Korea in 2007. Han was in Kazakhstan until 24 September. She then traveled to Uzbekistan.<ref name=SK>Kazakhstan, South Korea Vow To Boost Ties BakuTODAY</ref>

[edit] Kazakhstan-Tatarstan relations

Akhmetov met with Rustam Minnikhanov, the Prime Minister of the Russian republic of Tatarstan, in Astana, Kazakhstan on 13 October 2006. They discussed creating a joint venture that would build helicopters, Kazakh government investment in petrochemical businesses in Tatarstan, and constructing a highway to western China that would connect St. Petersburg to Moscow, Kazan, Orenburg, Qizilorda, Shymkent, and Korgas in Xinjiang Province, China. Akhmetov called the proposed highway "the shortest road link between Europe and China." Iskender Muflikhanov, aide to Prime Minister Minnikhanov, said the Tatar government had "great hopes with regard to the shipping, or the assembling [in Kazakhstan] of KamAZ trucks. Work in under way on this West-South highway project in Kazakhstan and, as a rule, our KamAZ trucks are irreplacable for projects of that magnitude."<ref name=TATARSTAN>Kazakhstan, Tatarstan Discuss Joint Economic Projects RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty</ref>

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Current members of the Cabinet of President Nursultan Nazarbayev <td style="vertical-align: middle; width: 1px" rowspan="2"> Image:Flag of Kazakhstan.svg </td>
Abdykarimov • D. Akhmetov • S. Akhmetov • Altynbayev • Aytimova • Baliyeva • Dernovoi • Dosmukhanbetov • Dzhaksybekov • Iskakov • Izmukhambetov • Karagusova • Korzhova • Kulmakhanov • Masimov • Mukhamedzhanov • Musin • Shabdarbayev • Shkolnik • Tokayev • Tusupbekov • Yertysbayev • Yesimov • Zhumabekov