EADS,Eurocopter sign cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan for helicopter development

During the official visit of the French President to Kazakhstan, EADS and Eurocopter signed a cooperation agreement with the sovereign wealth fund SAMRUK-KAZYNA to create a public-private joint venture in Kazakhstan in order to develop helicopter activities. The project, which includes both European and Kazakh partners, was launched as part of the strategic partnership agreement signed between France and Kazakhstan. The purpose of the joint venture is to transfer skills and know-how to local partners in order to develop a fully integrated and independent helicopter service industry in Kazakhstan. 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 & gas industry. An agreement was also signed with a local operator to open the first maintenance center in Kazakhstan. The officially Eurocopter certified new center will soon be serving customers in the Almaty region.