Eurocopter signs Kazakhstan deal

Eurocopter has signed a cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund SAMRUK-KAZYNA to create a public-private joint venture in the country to develop helicopter activities

The deal was signed during the official visit of French president Nicolas Sarkozy to Kazakhstan in October.

The project, which includes both European and Kazakh partners, was launched as part of the strategic agreement signed between France and Kazakhstan .
The purpose of the joint venture is to transfer skills and knowledge to local partners in order to develop a fully integrated and independent helicopter service industry in Kazakhstan .

Parent company EADS said the new agreement demonstrates Eurocopter’s long-term commitment to the Kazakh government and its people, and also reflects the strategic position of the country in Central Asia and its potential for economic growth.
Nearly every product in the Eurocopter range is already present in Kazakhstan in the public and private sectors and in the oil and gas industry. An agreement was also signed with a local operator to open the first maintenance centre in the Almaty region.