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Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne visits Kazakhstan

UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Kazakhstan Baroness Nicholson's visit is aimed to support the existing trade relationship between the UK and Kazakhstan and explore new opportunities for UK companies.

Baroness Nicholson

The UK Prime Minister’s trade envoy*, Baroness Nicholson, will arrive in Kazakhstan on 28 April for a 6 day visit. She will visit Almaty, Atyrau and Nur-Sultan. This is the first visit of the Baroness to Kazakhstan. In Atyrau and Almaty, she will also be accompanied by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Ms Judith Slater.

In Atyrau Baroness Nicholson’s programme includes meetings with Governor of Atyrau region Nurlan Nogayev, and opening an UK-Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Partnership Programme Forum alongside senior representatives from the Ministry of Energy, PSA, KazEnergy as well as a meeting with UK-based EPC contractors. The forum will also be attended by a group of companies from the UK.

In Almaty, Baroness Nicholson will meet Mayor of Almaty Baurzhan Baibek and participate in several high-level events such as the WE Almaty Forum organised by the British Council and local authorities of Almaty, and Astana Motors’ Jaguar Land Rower Showroom Opening Ceremony, which will also promote Jaguar Land Rover’s first all-electric I-PACE car.

In Almaty, the Prime Minister’s trade envoy also will take an opportunity to meet with Board members of the British Chamber of Commerce and UK Alumni (Chevening and Bolashak Alumni).

In Nur-Sultan Baroness Nicholson will call on senior Kazakh government officials and British and Kazakh businesses. She will also be meeting with female leaders successful both in private and public sectors and learn about UK-Kazakhstan cooperation in education and relevant opportunities.

Speaking ahead the visit, Baroness Nicholson said:

I am delighted to visit Kazakhstan, which is an important partner for Britain. Our countries have an exciting and dynamic strategic partnership, based on common interest, mutual respect and friendship – and a shared belief in free trade, the global market economy and the rules-based international system.

Over 500 British companies are commercially active in Kazakhstan, from oil and gas and mining to agriculture, infrastructure to education, financial and professional business services to hi-tech. I hope to meet key British and Kazakh businesses and looking forward for meetings with senior government officials to deepen the UK– Kazakhstan relationship and promote of our strong trading relationship.

*Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Emma Nicholson), the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Kazakhstan.

Published 30 April 2019