US Trade Mission concludes

Friday, July 28, 2006 - Eighteen U.S. agribusiness organizations recently concluded a trade and investment mission to Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Companies participating in the mission communicated their interest in identifying investment opportunities as well as in forming partnerships with local agricultural industry entrepreneurs. They were in search for potential markets for their goods and looking at the possibility of buying Kazakh products.

“The U.S. agribusiness organizations on this mission represent the best of the American entrepreneurial spirit,” said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, who led the mission. “Their presence during this past week reflects their interest and confidence in Kazakhstan and the trade and investment opportunities developing here.”

The companies participating in the mission represented multiples areas of the U.S. agriculture industry, including farm and food service equipment, agrichemicals, animal genetics, meat, poultry, rice and processed fruits and nuts. Firms specializing in irrigation and desalinization, engineering, management and finance were also involved.

Mission participants were able to experience the day to day operations of local agribusinesses. In addition Johanns met with the Kazakh President, Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister in regard to the policies and regulations influencing the Kazakh trade and investment system.

Johanns also announced he is collaborating with the Agriculture Minister, Akhmedzhan Yesimov, to create an agreement between the two countries, increasing cooperation in agriculture technology such as trade capacity building and biotechnology. The agreement is planned to be finished and signed when President Nazarbayev and Minister Yesimov visit the U.S. later this year.