Ambassador visit to forge business links between Yorkshire and Kazakhstan

The Kazakhstan ambassador to the UK, Erlan Idrissov, was invited to Leeds to discuss the potential for trade between Yorkshire and his own country.

Accompanied by Kazakhstan’s first secretary for economic affairs, Rustam Tazhenov, Idrissov was welcomed at a reception with Leeds Lord Mayor Councillor Eileen Taylor in the city’s Civic Hall.

He visited the Nexus innovation hub at the University of Leeds, where he met more than 30 students from Kazakhstan who are studying at this university. And he was also introduced to a variety of Yorkshire-based business representatives from sectors ranging from tourism, food and engineering.

Speaking at the Civic Hall reception, he stressed Kazakhstan was very keen to do business, describing it as a “unique, beautiful and self-sustaining” country.

He added: “Kazakhstan and the UK have been strong partners for more than 25 years. I’m honoured to visit the county today and hope this will open up new opportunities for co-operation between Leeds and Kazakhstan.

“I’ve been impressed to learn that Leeds is the UK’s second financial centre after London.

“And Yorkshire is a growing business destination which is emerging as a 21st century economy with a focus on new knowledge and innovative digital technologies as well as more traditional industries like manufacturing and civil engineering.

“I’ve been able to meet members of the business community here and we discussed a number of ideas within their different sectors.

“I hope Kazakhstan, Leeds and Yorkshire can be open to each other.”

Idrissov proposed twinning Leeds with a city in Kazakhstan to help strengthen links between these locations.

Cllr Taylor said: “Leeds has got a lot to offer. It is a welcoming city which is going from strength-to-strength and we’re laying a strong foundation for the younger generation to build on.

“The ambassador has told me so much about how we can work together, so the prospect of us doing business with Kazakhstan looks very promising.”

Idrissov and Tazhenov’s was arranged by Yorkshire businessman Keith Madeley and backed by Leeds City Council.

Madeley said he was pleased with the outcome of the visit, adding the ambassador had been deeply impressed by what he had seen in Yorkshire.

Tom Riordan, chief executive at Leeds City Council, said: “We are both honoured and delighted to be welcoming the ambassador of Kazakhstan, His Excellency Mr Erlan Idrissov, to Leeds Civic Hall as part of his visit to the city.

“Also joining us at this special civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor, were representatives from local and regional businesses.

“This provided the ambassador with a great opportunity to find out more about the many flourishing business sectors in Leeds and across our region.”