Kazakhstan to be a key player at global energy market: P. Brummell

ASTANA. June 20, 2006. KAZINFORM /Zauresh Balkenova/ - On June 17, the third Saturday of the month the Britons gathered at the Trafalgar Square in order to witness a solemn ceremony in honor of the 80th jubilee of the Queen Elizabeth II. 1100 guardsmen took part in Trooping the Color. A salute of 21 guns was followed by the aero-demonstration of royal fighter jets that showed capacity of British aviation.Jubilee of the Queen is celebrated not only in Great Britain, but in all countries of the world where the ambassadors of the Queen work. State receptions are expected to be arranged today in three Kazakhstani cities. They are Astana, Almaty and Atyrau. KAZINFORM has taken the opportunity to hold an interview with British Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Paul Brummell and invited him to our office. Dear Mr. Brummell, despite the festive mood let us begin with a serious theme. Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev defined a very ambitious task for the state – to enter the 50 most competitive countries of the world. How Kazakhstan will be able to achieve this aim, on your opinion?Great Britain favors Kazakhstan’s intention to enter the 50 most competitive countries of the world. Policy of Kazakh Government includes a number of important measures for achievement of this goal. They are development of the potential of young people by means of Bolashak program and creation of National Fund with the purpose to preserve and multiply profits from oil and gas wealth of the country. Surely, for implementation of such task it will be necessary to develop different spheres, including increase of transparency and struggle against corruption. Previous year British Government welcomed Kazakhstan’s joining to the Initiative of Transparency in Extractive Industries and with great interest is waiting for the first auditor’s report within the framework of this initiative in 2006.Kazakhstan conducts many important presentations and conferences on oil and gas sphere in the capital of Great Britain. How can it be accounted for?As you know, Great Britain has a large experience in oil and gas field. Oil developments in the North Sea helped to accumulate great knowledge. Besides, Great Britain will turn into an importer of energy carriers in the near future. And Kazakhstan will become a key player at the global energy market. So, holding analogous measures in London meets interests of both countries. However, such tendency touches upon not only oil and gas sphere, but financial sector as well. Kazakh companies Kazakhmys and Kazakhgold with great success approached the London Stock Exchange. Taking into account aim of Kazakhstani Government to develop Almaty city as a financial center, Britain hopes to promote cooperation with Kazakhstan on the whole range of financial services. Mr. Brummell, what are the most significant and perspective aspects of Kazakh-British economical collaboration? Relationships between two states have positive dynamics of development. It should be marked that in whole volume of British investments into Kazakhstan amounted to USD 5 billion. In 2005 commodity turnover made up USD 743.8 million. There are more than 200 of British companies working in Kazakhstan. Of course oil and gas will remain the leading branch of interaction in future.Serious results were achieved on creation of joint enterprises with the purpose of diversification of Kazakh economy. To these projects belong successful establishment of joint enterprise of Air Astana company and signing of the agreement on construction of glass factory near the town of Kyzylorda with participation of a British company. It is known that very close links exist between our states in cultural and educational life. How can you estimate contribution of the British Kingdom into the development of educational sphere in Kazakhstan? One of the general directions of our cooperation is education of Kazakh young people in Great Britain. Number of students studying in British universities constantly grows. Moreover Kazakh-British Technical University that was opened on the initiative of N. Nazarbayev and English Prime Minister Tony Blair actively works in Kazakhstan. Besides, the British Council leads and sponsors a lot of measures in different Kazakhstani cities and pays special attention to cultural contacts between two countries providing Kazakh youth with great educational resources.How deeply is Kazakh culture represented to British society? What do ordinary people in Britain know about this country?More and more British society is taking interest in Kazakh culture. Its wealth and originality, contexture of ancient traditions and contemporary trends raise interest among British people. It is supported with the help of programs on cultural exchange under the auspices of Kazakh Embassy to Great Britain and British-Kazakhstani community that includes many companies. What is the relation of British society to the institute of royalty and members of the royal family?British people greatly respect royal family. The Queen is a symbol of unity of the country with its people. She supports continuity of national traditions. Although her influence upon state affairs is formal she takes part in life of the country, implement great number of representation functions and heads several thousands of charitable acts.Real birthday of the Queen is on April 21, but officially it is celebrated in June. All countries having embassies or representations of Great Britain hold ceremonies in honor of the Queen on behalf of ambassadors of Her Majesty.Have you any devotions in life? What do you prefer in literature?I am fond of traveling. Being a diplomat I have managed to visit Pakistan, Italy, Turkmenistan and Australia. The only continent where I have never been is Latin America. I would also like to travel around Central Asia.I like to watch different films especially good dramas or comedies. I am glad that some films of British cinematographers or with participation of British actors were highly estimated in the world. As for literature I like cross-cultural books, ethnographies and historical works.What is your impression of Kazakhstan, its people and Astana city?I like to work here. Kazakhstan is a very beautiful country with great resource potential. The country that is situated in the center of Eurasia has prosperous future. The Kazakhs are very hospitable and outgoing people. The capital of the state is surprisingly rapid developing city. I hope that British Embassy’s move to Astana will promote our contribution to further development of the city.