Kazakh Ambassador cultivates commercial opportunities during economic development visit to Southwest Missouri

Last week, the Ambassador traveled with Congressman Billy Long to Missouri's 7th Congressional District. Southwest Missouri is home to agribusinesses, manufacturing and high tech companies that are consistant with Kazakhstan's priority sector development plans. Both Kazakhstan and Missouri are land-locked economies with similar geography and climate, and Missouri businesses have a lot to contribute to Kazakhstan's economic development. Over the two days, the Ambassador spoke with local business leaders at both the Spingfield and Joplin Chambers of Commerce. They visited Pinegar limosin cattle ranch, which is raising award-winning cows and bulls. The Ambassador was shown by engineers at Brewer Science how the company manufactures cutting-edge sensors for tomorrow's wearable electronics. The Ambassador toured K&S Wire which manufactures steel wire components for shelves to shopping carts to filters used in the oil sector. The owners of Andrews Farm & Seed showed how photo-technology separates seed for treatment and packaging so their hundreds of customers receive the highest quality seed stock for planting. Students at Missouri State University peppered the Ambassador with lively questions about Kazakhstan's space program, transition to a green economy, decision to abandon nuclear weapons upon independence. Students were interested to learn about the Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy, the Astana Expo 2017, and the Bolashak scholarship program, and hope to have Kazakh classmates in the near future. Overall, the trip was a great success with concrete product and knowledge export opportunities moving forward, OzarksFirst.com reports.