Official Statements on Kazakhstan. Transcripts
Joint Statement On The U.S.-Kazakhstan Public-Private Economic Partnership
June 24, 2008
Astana, Kazakhstan
Building on the United States-Kazakhstan strategic partnership and recognizing the fundamental role of the private sector in creating sustained economic growth, the Governments of the United States and Kazakhstan have established the Public-Private Economic Partnership to invest our public and private sectors in a shared vision of stability, prosperity, and reform in Kazakhstan.
The Partnership will propose policy reforms and other actions to remove impediments to, and create opportunities for, successful investment in Kazakhstan. It is intended to advance the following objectives:
1) Development of robust anti-corruption measures;
2) Economic diversification, with a special emphasis on small- and medium-sized enterprises;
3) Transparency and good governance, in particular measures that improve the investment climate by reducing corruption, removing administrative and legislative barriers, and strengthening the rule of law;
4) Scientific and technical cooperation and exchanges of specialists between universities, research institutes, and private business;
5) Highlighting the advantages that membership in the World Trade Organization will give to American and Kazakhstani investors and traders as well as positive impact on bilateral trade relations and the overall economies of both countries;
6) Regional economic integration that will bolster the independence, sovereignty, and security of the countries of the region, ensuring their sustainable development and prosperity.
The Governments of the United States and Kazakhstan, The American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, the Chamber “Atameken” are expected to be Partners in the Partnership. The Partnership also welcomes the support and participation of U.S. and Kazakhstani private companies and business associations.
The Partnership is intended to advance the key objectives mentioned above and facilitate dialogue on reform through working groups, consisting of one or more representatives of each of the Partners, as well as experts from international institutions and the private sector. The working groups will formulate proposals on legislation, policies, strategies and programs for achieving the Partnership objectives which will be submitted to the two Governments for review.
In accordance with objectives of the Partnership, the Coordination Committee, consisting of six people, including one representative of each of the Partners as well as Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States and the U.S. Ambassador in the Republic of Kazakhstan is to coordinate the activity of the working groups.
At a minimum, the following working groups are to be created:
1) on issues of economic diversification and small and medium business development;
2) on securing transparency and creating conditions for efficient economic activity;
3) scientific and technical cooperation;
4) on issues of regional economic integration; and
5) on issues relevant to the reduction of corruption and the improvement of the investment climate.
In order to maintain a permanent dialogue within the framework of the Partnership, the United States and Kazakhstan plan to conduct a Kazakhstani-American Forum on the issue of Public-Private Economic Partnership on a regular basis every 1-2 years.