Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz has signed an agreement with the central Asian country of Kazakhstan to increase agricultural co-operation between the two countries.
Kazakhstan, a geographically large but under-developed country between Russia and China, is a minor trading partner for Canada, buying slightly more than $14 million worth of Canadian agricultural products in 2011.
But Canada says there is significant potential for growth.
Kazakhstan was part of the former Soviet Union and became independent two decades ago. With more than 17 million citizens, it is a resource-rich country with a sizable livestock and grain sector.
At a memorandum-of-understanding signing ceremony attended by Ritz and Kazakhstani agriculture minister Asylzhan Mamytbekov on Parliament Hill yesterday, Ritz said it could lead to increased livestock and farm equipment exports from Canada.
The minister said it also will lead to greater exchange of agricultural research and technology results between the two countries.
He said an agreement with countries such as Kazakhstan helps “create more opportunities for our agriculture industry and more prosperity for all Canadians.”
