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Massimov appointed as new Kazakh PM

02 April 2014 20:13 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Karim Massimov, former chief of staff of the Kazakh presidential office, became the new prime minister on Wednesday after Serik Akhmetov resigned, the presidential press service said, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a decree to confirm the appointment, which was approved by the Majilis, or the lower house of parliament.

Nazarbayev said Massimov had the necessary knowledge and experience to govern competently, so the development goal of Kazakhstan could be achieved by attracting foreign investment despite the complicated global financial market.

All leaders of major parties in the Majilis expressed their support for Massimov's appointment.

Earlier in the day, former Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov tendered his resignation to the president, which also led to the dissolution of his cabinet.

Akhmetov did not give a reason for his unexpected resignation but he thanked the president for his trust to him and his government.

Massimov, 49, had served as the prime minister from January 2007 to September 2012.

Massimov is considered a China expert. According to media reports, he spent post-college years in China and started his career as a senior specialist representative in Urumqi, China's northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.