View source for Karim Massimov

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name         = Karim Massimov<br>كەرىم  مەسىموۋ <br>{{small|Кәрім Мәсімов}}<br>{{small|Kärim Mäsimov}}
|image        = Karim Massimov February 2015.jpg
|office       = 7th [[Prime Minister of Kazakhstan]]
|president    = [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]]
|term_start   = 2 April 2014
|term_end     = 8 September 2016
|predecessor  = [[Serik Akhmetov]]
|successor    = [[Bakhytzhan Sagintayev]]  
|president1   = [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]]
|term_start1  = 10 January 2007
|term_end1    = 24 September 2012
|predecessor1 = [[Daniyal Akhmetov]]
|successor1   = [[Serik Akhmetov]]
|office2      = [[President of Kazakhstan|Head of the Executive Office of the President]]
|president2   = [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]]
|term_start2  = 24 September 2012
|term_end2    = 2 April 2014 
|predecessor2 = [[Aslan Musin]]
|successor2   = [[Nurlan Nigmatulin]]
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1965|6|15|df=y}}
|birth_place  = [[Astana|Tselinograd]], [[Soviet Union]]<br>{{small|(now Astana, [[Kazakhstan]])}}
|death_date   = 
|death_place  = 
|party        = [[Nur Otan]]
|alma_mater   = [[Peoples' Friendship University of Russia|Peoples' Friendship University]]
}}
'''Karim Qajymqanuly Massimov''' ({{lang-kk|Кәрім Қажымқанұлы Мәсімов}}, ''Kärim Qajımqanulı Mäsimov'', كأرٸم قاجىمقانۇلى مأسٸموۆ {{IPA-kk|kærɪm qɑʒəmqaˈnʊlə mæsɪmof|}}; {{lang-ru|Кари́м Кажимка́нович Маси́мов}}; born 15 June 1965)<ref name=FORPM>[http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20070109-092709-1103r Kazakhstan moves to name new PM] United Press International</ref> is a [[Kazakhs|Kazakh]] politician who served as [[Prime Minister of Kazakhstan]] from 10 January 2007<ref name=APPOINTED>{{cite news |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411319/956424 |title=Kazakhstan appoints new PM|date=10 January 2007|agency=[[Reuters]] |work=[[Television New Zealand]]|accessdate=8 October 2011}}</ref> to 24 September 2012 and again from 2 April 2014 to 8 September 2016.

Massimov served as Deputy Prime Minister from 19 January 2006 to 9 January 2007<ref name=DPM>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kz.html Kazakhstan] CIA The World Factbook</ref> and as Minister of Economy and Budget Planning, Minister of Transport and Communications in 2001.<ref name=MTC>[http://www.uzbekworld.com/news/viewnews.cgi?newsid982311066,33560, Kazakh delegation in Uzbekistan to discuss transport, telecommunications] UzbekWorld</ref> President Nazarbayev nominated Massimov to succeed [[Daniyal Akhmetov]] as Prime Minister on 9 January 2007.<ref name=FORPM/> The [[Nur Otan]] party endorsed Massimov's candidacy and [[Parliament of Kazakhstan|Parliament]] confirmed the nomination on 10 January.

On 24 September 2012, Massimov's premiership ended when President Nazarbayev moved him to the position of chief of staff of the presidential office; according to [[Reuters]], the move was designed to readjust the power balance between various factions within the government.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gordeyeva|first=Mariya|title=Kazakh PM Karim Masimov resigns: presidential press service|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/24/us-kazakhstan-government-idUSBRE88N04L20120924|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=24 September 2012}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born in [[Tselinograd]] (now [[Astana]]) in Kazakhstan,<ref name=FORPM/> Karim Massimov graduated from [[People's Friendship University of Russia]], Moscow, and then studied in [[Beijing]] and at [[Wuhan University]] in [[Hubei]], China.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d8dee514-f3d9-11de-ac55-00144feab49a.html Asia-Pacific - Kazakh PM]</ref>

==China==
Karim Massimov is considered a China expert. China has become an important strategic partner for Kazakhstan in recent years and the two countries are working closely together to develop Kazakhstan's energy resources. Massimov visited [[Beijing]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] with [[Finance minister|Finance Minister]] [[Natalya Korzhova]], Transport and Communications Minister [[Serik Akhmetov]], and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister [[Baktykozha Izmukhambetov]] from 16–17 November 2006. Massimov co-chaired the third meeting of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee with [[Chinese Vice Premier]] [[Wu Yi]]. Several accords between agencies of the two governments were signed.<ref name=CHINA>[http://www.hri.org/news/balkans/rferl/2006/06-11-21.rferl.html#23 China-Kazakh Cooperation Committee Meets] Kazakhstan Today</ref> Massimov later met with [[Chinese Prime Minister]] [[Wen Jiabao]].<ref name=JIABAO>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/11/a7cb0cd5-9f5e-4922-b1be-c8f3020cfda1.html?napage=2 Astana, Beijing Sign Partnership Agreement] RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty</ref> Meanwhile, [[Kazakh President]] [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] met with [[Liu Qi (politician)|Liu Qi]], secretary of the [[Communist Party of China|Beijing Party Committee]], in [[Astana]]. Secretary Liu said was "very nice for me to visit your beautiful country at [[Fatherland (Kazakhstan)|Otan]]'s invitation. The goal of the visit is to deepen cooperation and mutual understanding between our countries."<ref name=CHINATIES>[http://www.hri.org/news/balkans/rferl/2006/06-11-21.rferl.html#23 China, Kazakhstan strengthen ties] Kazinform</ref>

==Iran==
On 28 March 2002 in an article in ''[[Izvestia]]'', Massimov announced that the [[Government of Kazakhstan]] planned to increase wheat exports to [[Iran]] from 100,000 to two million tons.<ref name=IRAN>[http://goliath.ecnext.com/comsite5/bin/pdinventory.pl?pdlanding=1&referid=2750&item_id=0199-1518953 Kazakhstan to increase wheat exports to Iran]</ref>

==Israel==
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev in Kazakhstan 5 July 2010-2.jpeg|thumb|Massimov with [[President of Russia]] [[Dmitry Medvedev]] on 5 July 2010]]
[[File:Reunión Bilaterial con el Primer Ministro de la República Kazajistán (14388229419).jpg|thumb|Massimov with [[Foreign minister|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] of [[Ecuador]] [[Ricardo Patiño]] on 4 July 2014]]
Massimov and [[Israeli Vice Premier]] [[Shimon Peres]] announced from [[Jerusalem]] on 29 October 2006 that the state-owned National Innovation Fund of Kazakhstan would begin investing in the [[Projects working for peace among Israelis and Arabs|Peace Valley project]] and other projects in the [[Middle East]]. Massimov said, "I came to [[Israel]] with a clear message to the nation in [[Zion]] from [[Nursultan Nazarbayev|the president]], that Kazakhstan is a moderate [[Islamic world|Muslim state]] which is interested in being involved in the Middle East. Kazakhstan intends to found political and economic ties with Israel and its neighbors." Massimov mentioned the [[Dead Sea canal (disambiguation)|Dead Sea canal]] and expressed desire to create a [[free trade zone]]. Vice Premier Peres and Massimov agreed to establish an agriculture-school in each country. The NIF has given USD $10 million to Israeli VC fund Vertex.<ref name=PVP>[http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000146835&fid=1725 Kazakhstan oil fund to invest millions in Israel] Globes</ref>

Massimov also met with [[Israeli Prime Minister]] [[Ehud Olmert]], who praised Kazakhstan for showing a "beautiful face of [[Islam]]. Contemporary, ever-developing Kazakhstan is a perfect example of both economic development and interethnic accord that should be followed by more Muslim states."<ref name=BEAUTIFULFACE>[http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1162378331988&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Kazakhs seek stronger ties with Israel] Jerusalem Post</ref>

The ''[[Middle East Times]]'' reported on 7 November 2006 that earlier that week Massimov noted interest in the infrastructure corridor project between [[Turkey]] and Israel and buying the oil refinery in [[Haifa]], Israel which the [[Israeli Government]] plans to privatize in 2007{{Update after|2008|1|1}}.

==Property registration==
The [[Senate of Kazakhstan|Senate]] voted on 2 November 2006 to change the deadline for registering [[real estate]] and property, originally set at 30 December, to the new date of 1 April 2007, after President Nazarbayev and Massimov called for an extension. The bill, if signed by Nazarbayev, is expected to generate an additional $30 million in annual taxes.<ref name=SENATE>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/11/18EC0DF6-E3A0-4C42-B02B-332BB8B023F1.html Kazakh Senate votes to extend Capital amnesty] RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty</ref>

==Nomination for Prime Minister==
{{main|Kazakhstan political shakeup of 2007}}
President Nazarbayev nominated Massimov to succeed [[Daniyal Akhmetov]] as Prime Minister on 9 January 2007.<ref name=FORPM/> Akhmetov resigned on 8 January without explanation. Analysts attributed Akhmetov's political downfall to the President's criticism of his administrative oversight of [[Economy of Kazakhstan|the economy]].<ref name=FORPM/><ref name=AKHMRESIG>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-01-08-kazakhstan-pm_x.htm?csp=34 Oil-rich Kazakhstan's prime minister resigns] USA Today</ref> The [[Parliament of Kazakhstan|Parliament]] voted overwhelmingly in favor of the nomination on 10 January with 37 out of 39 [[Senate of Kazakhstan|Senators]] and 66 of 77 Assemblymen from the [[Majilis]] voting for Massimov. Akhmetov became the Defense Minister, replacing [[Mukhtar Altynbayev]].<ref name=VOTING/>

==Personal characteristics==
Massimov is fluent in [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[English language|English]], and [[Arabic language|Arabic]].<ref name=VOTING>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/1/e394f05e-38ae-4555-a78a-aab16b0c8d5a.html Kazakh Parliament approves new Prime Minister] RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty</ref> At the same time, he is thought to be well connected within the [[Kremlin]].<ref>[http://www.iwpr.net/?p=rca&s=f&o=328417&apc_state=henh Kazakhstan: Massimov May Signal New Reform Priorities]</ref>

Massimov is married, has three kids. His hobbies are books, Muay Thai, skiing, rock climbing<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbQf6SjaDRM Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Karim Massimov discovers mountain climbing]</ref> and golf.

==Martial arts==

Massimov was the President of Federation of Amateur Muaythai of Asia (FAMA) in 2010. The FAMA and the Continental Federation of International Federation of Muaythai Amateurs (IFMA) in Asia is the first Continental Federation since 1991, supporting the work and efforts of the IFMA (<ref>http://www.ifmamuaythai.org/support-for-ifma/personalities/he-karim-massimov/</ref>). He then was nominated and went on to assume the position of Vice President of the IFMA, President of Muaythai federation in Kazakhstan and Vice-President of World Muaythai Council (WMC) (<ref>[http://ju6abs.com/ http://ju6abs.com/]</ref>).

In 2012, Massimov was unanimously re-elected for another four-year term to head the Asian federation, which is recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia (<ref>[http://www.ifmamuaythai.org/tag/karim-massimov/ http://www.ifmamuaythai.org/tag/karim-massimov/]</ref>). He showed his support for the sport in an interview in which he stated that the sport "brings together athletes from across the world to train and compete with honour and in the spirit of cultural exchange and understanding."

==See also==
*[[Government of Kazakhstan]]

==References==
{{reflist|
1 2 3 4 5  Kazakhstan moves to name new PM United Press International↑  "Kazakhstan appoints new PM". Television New Zealand. Reuters. 10 January 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2011. ↑  Kazakhstan CIA The World Factbook↑  Kazakh delegation in Uzbekistan to discuss transport, telecommunications UzbekWorld↑  Gordeyeva, Mariya. "Kazakh PM Karim Masimov resigns: presidential press service". Reuters. Retrieved 24 September 2012. ↑  Asia-Pacific - Kazakh PM↑  China-Kazakh Cooperation Committee Meets Kazakhstan Today↑  Astana, Beijing Sign Partnership Agreement RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty↑  China, Kazakhstan strengthen ties Kazinform↑  Kazakhstan to increase wheat exports to Iran↑  Kazakhstan oil fund to invest millions in Israel Globes↑  Kazakhs seek stronger ties with Israel Jerusalem Post↑  Kazakh Senate votes to extend Capital amnesty RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty↑  Oil-rich Kazakhstan's prime minister resigns USA Today1 2  Kazakh Parliament approves new Prime Minister RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty↑  Kazakhstan: Massimov May Signal New Reform Priorities↑  http://www.ifmamuaythai.org/support-for-ifma/personalities/he-karim-massimov/↑  http://ju6abs.com/↑  http://www.ifmamuaythai.org/tag/karim-massimov/
}}

==External links==
*[http://www.primeminister.kz/page/government?lang=en Cabinet of ministers of Kazakhstan]
*{{Commons category-inline|Karim Massimov}}
*[http://www.pm.kz Official Site of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan]
*[http://en.government.kz/structure/government PM Karim K. Massimov]
*[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=a36togHh.s4I Kazakh President accepts Prime Minister's resignation (Update3)]
*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2537093,00.html Analysis: Why the world cares about Kazakhstan]

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{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Daniyal Akhmetov]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Kazakhstan]]|years=2007–2012}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Serik Akhmetov]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Serik Akhmetov]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Kazakhstan]]|years=2014–2016}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bakhytzhan Sagintayev]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Massimov, Karim}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ministers of Economy (Kazakhstan)]]
[[Category:Ministers of Transport and Communication (Kazakhstan)]]
[[Category:Nur Otan politicians]]
[[Category:People from Astana]]
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Wuhan University alumni]]
[[Category:Uyghur people]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani people of Uyghur descent]]