OREANDA-NEWS. On 04 May 2008 was announced, that for the last years the Netherlands keep a status of the biggest investor of Kazakhstan, it was declared at the reception in Astana on the occasion of the Day of Queen of the Netherlnads celebration, by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Netherlands Claas van der Tempel.

"According to 2007 results the Netherlands again became a leader on the volume of investmentto Kazakhstani economy. This indices amounted to USD3 billion. Trade turnover between our countries increased and made up EUR 650 million," diplomat said.

Claas van der Tempel informed that in the end of May a visit of the minister of energy and mineral resources of Kazakhstan Sauat Mynbayev, as well as minister of industry and trade Vladimir Shkolnik and environment minister Nurlan Iskakov will be paid to the Netherlands.

"We expect that these visits will make our countries even closer," the ambassador noted.

Besides, the diplomat informed that as a gift to the forthcoming jubilee of Astana an alley of hundred and twenty thousand Dutch tulips near the symbol of the capital - Baiterek, and ice skating rink will be presented.

"This winter I skated in my racing skates on the Ishim river, as well as a couple of monthes ago in Medeu and noticed that not many young Kazakhstani are keen on racing skating. We should improve it!" he said.

Claas van der Tempel added that the Dutch designers are planning soon to construct a contemporary skating rink in Astana. They also intend to update Medeu, in order it be transferred into one of the speediest skating rinks in the world. The ambassador also informed that there is an interest appeared in his country toward an idea of creation of the Kazakhstani race skating team under the participation of Holland.