KAZAKHSTAN: Kazakhstan Parliament approves new Prime Minister Karim Masimov

The Parliament of oil producing Kazakhstan on Wednesday (January 10) appointed Deputy Prime Minister Karim Masimov, a technocrat who studied at a U.S. business school, to the post of Prime Minister. Both houses of parliament, sitting in a special joint session, voted unanimously to approve Masimov, who was nominated for the job by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. "I am certain that Karim Masimov's experience and knowledge is sufficient, and that the new government will propose a programme that will continue to strengthen and to develop Kazakhstan's success, and that through an increase in the level of productivity and other factors it will achieve the strategic goals which I have set,'' said Nazarbayev during a session of parliament where Masimov was introduced. Senior lawmakers have said Masimov, 41, is likely to continue the policies of former Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov, who resigned unexpectedly on Monday (January 08). "I want to thank the head of state for the high level of trust which you have shown today,'' said Masimov during his first session with Parliament. "I understand that your trust requires a high level of responsibility for the effectiveness of the executive branch as a whole, as well for the work of each individual member.'' Kazakhstan is emerging as a major source of non-OPEC oil and international majors Chevron, Eni SpA and Shell have billions of dollars invested in energy projects there. The state has been seeking a bigger role in the oil sector and investors will watch closely to see if the new prime minister continues this trend. It was unclear why Akhmetov had resigned. Nazarbayev keeps a tight rein on ministers and often reshuffles senior officials to balance the clans around him.

ITN Source | January 11, 2007

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