Icebreakers: A conversation about Canadian and Eurasian business CECC

In today's episode, we're excited to chat with Tim Gitzel, the President and CEO of Cameco Corporation, the world's largest uranium producer. With over 25 years of senior management and legal experience in Canadian and international uranium mining, Mr. Gitzel has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with our listeners.

As the Honorary Council of Kazakhstan to Saskatchewan and a Board member of various prestigious organizations including the World Nuclear Association and the Kazakhstan - Canada Business Council, Mr. Gitzel provides valuable insights on the transformation of Kazakhstan's mining industry and what makes the country an attractive destination for foreign investors.

Related links to this episode:
Cameco
Kazakhstan Canada Business Council (KCBC)
Kazatomprom

Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:36 - Introducing Tim Gitzel
1:56 Growing up in communities of Northern Saskatchewan
2:59 Hockey passion and a call that never comes
4:30 Breaking into the uranium industry
7:06 Uranium 2011: from ‘’sky-high” to “now what?”
10:44 Cameco, as the largest industrial employer of Indigenous people
13:14 Expanding to Kazakhstan market
16:07 Modernization of Kazakhstan’s mining sector
18:00 Adapting to JORC code principles
19:03 Cameco-Kazatomprom joint venture
21:46 Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Saskatchewan
24:33 Meeting with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
27:49 Political leadership of the government of Kazakhstan
30:22 Mr. Gitzel’s advice on entering the Kazakhstan market
33:35 Kazakhstan-Canada Business Council (KCBC)
38:11 What made Tim Gitzel a leader?
40:09 What does the future hold for Tim Gitzel?
43:34 Outro

Icebreakers is produced by CECC, an independent non-profit organization that promotes bilateral trade and investment between Canada and Eurasia. www.canadaeurasia.com

In today’s episode we are joined by Mr. Peter McCann, a Management Consultant, an author of two business books, and now Advisor to the Rector at Tashkent Chemical Technologies Institute. Peter has over 30 years of experience in consulting small and large businesses in the USA & Canada, as well as taught and lectured in Finland, Germany, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Peter shares his firsthand experience in establishing his own business and new professional and social life in Central Asia, education reforms in Uzbekistan and large-scale projects in partnership with the world leaders in vocational training. How will applying the best international practices address the core challenges in education? What opportunities does this tremendous transformation open for Canada-Uzbekistan cooperation?

Related links to this episode:
Tashkent Chemical-Technological Institute
SAIT
'Strategy & Business Planning of Privately Held Companies' book by Peter McCann
'Turnarounds: Brains, Guts & Stamina' book by Peter McCann

Timeline:
00:40 – Introducing Peter McCann
1:40 – Radical transformation of the Tashkent Chemical Technologies Institute (TCTI)
7:30 – Growing up in Ottawa's rural northwest
9:20 – First career breakthroughs
12:32 – Turnarounds and Consultancy practice
13:42 – Early steps towards Kazakhstan in 1998
16:28 – Aftermath of moving to Central Asia
21:55 – Meeting your better half and strengthening family bonds
24:25 – Uzbek progress and hard work
25:07 – Partnership with SAIT – the World Leaders in vocational training
27:45 – “The LEADER” Project from Ivey Business School in TCTI
30:03 – Life lessons taken from Judo
33:50 – What made Mr.Peter McCann a leader?
35:35 – What does the future hold for Peter McCann?
36:49 – Closing

Icebreakers is produced by CECC, an independent non-profit organization that promotes bilateral trade and investment between Canada and Eurasia. www.canadaeurasia.com

Today we’re hosting Dr. Jean-François Caron, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, where he teaches Political Theory. Dr. Caron has authored 6 monographs and more than 20 peer reviewed articles and book chapters.

Jean-François shares a story of his career development in a cross-national perspective, forming family, teaching and living in Kazakhstan. He also elaborates on principles and admission criteria in the Nazarbayev University, as well as discusses State Scholarship Opportunities for foreign students.

Related links to this episode:
Nazarbayev University
Timeline:
0:40 – Introducing Jean-François Caron
2:18 – Early life integration into educational environment
3:41 – English-based teaching in Nazarbayev University
4:59 – From Plato to Francisco Nguema
7:45 –  From Canadian Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs to affiliate work in Poland
9:41 – Meeting significant other on a 1st day in Kazakhstan
12:43 – Merit-based admission to Nazarbayev University
16:15 – hard work is always gets paid off
18:57 – The logic of meritocracy
24:17 – Adjusting to virtual environment
29:27 – Tapping into technology
30:37 – Subtleties of the Kazakh language
33:54 – Kazakh wedding traditions
35:52 – Canada-Kazakhstan cooperation opportunities in education
39:20 – Foreign students at Nazarbayev University
41:05 – What made Dr.Caron a leader?
42:46 – What does the future hold for Dr.Caron?
44:29 – Kazakh hospitality
47:22 – Closing

Icebreakers is produced by CECC, an independent non-profit organization that promotes bilateral trade and investment between Canada and Eurasia. www.canadaeurasia.com

Join us on a journey through the heart of Central Asia and the birthplace of 1001 Arabian Nights - the Republic of Uzbekistan. Visit Tashkent and Navoi, Khiva and Samarkand, Kyzylkum and Aralkum deserts - all through the eyes of the Canadian Honorary Consul of Canada in Uzbekistan and Managing Partner at Dentons Uzbekistan - Mr. Eldor Mannopov.

In this episode, we discuss the progressive reforms and improvements introduced by the government of Shavkat Mirziyoyev in support of the foreign business, Uzbek's extraordinary hospitality and personal experiences living and working in the country.

Related links to this episode:
Dentons UzbekistanCanadian Consulate in Uzbekistan
Timeline:
00:40 Intro
00:50 Considering an “honorable profession”
04:26 Merging with Dentons
05:10 Landmark M&A: privatization of Coca-Cola in Uzbekistan
06:21 Gosplan years
08:23 President Merziyoyev era
9:51 Monetary policy reform
14:33 Tax reform: stable and transparent regime
17:31 Public procurement laws and e-government innovations
20:23 1001 Arabian Night stories' birthplace
21:51 Mining industry reform in Uzbekistan
27:27 Foreign investors in Uzbekistan mining
30:13 Desert fishing with Ambassador John Kur
32:22 6 million tons of cotton and the death of the Aral Sea: ESG solutions
34:46 Extraordinary hospitality of Uzbek people
36:26 Goals-based living
36:52 What does the future hold for Eldor?
37:23 Outro

Icebreakers is produced by CECC, an independent non-profit organization that promotes bilateral trade and investment between Canada and Eurasia. www.canadaeurasia.com

We are excited to host Mr. Darren Klinck today, President and Director at the Arras Minerals – a Canadian junior mining & exploration company operating in Kazakhstan.

Darren has extensive international experience in mining, having raised over 800 million for the projects globally including Guatemala, Laos, Australia, New Zeeland and Myanmar. He is sharing his personal stories about growing up in rural Alberta, getting involved in mining and capital markets, founding the first ever Canadian junior mining company in Kazakhstan and providing a piece of advice for Canadian investors considering Eurasia.

Related links:
CECC
Arras Minerals
Kazakhstan Canada Business Council 2022 (KCBC)

Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Introducing Darren Klinck
01:26 Growing up in rural Alberta
02:30 Close encounter in snowy Sierra, Northern Mexico
06:03 Headhunters in the Philippines
06:54 From Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw
08:52 Gold Rush in South Carolina
11:32 Getting excited over an opportunity in Kazakhstan
12:44 Similarities to Canada
13:58 Western approach to doing business
15:30 Do investors feel comfortable? Perceptions
17:30 Attracting more junior miners to Kazakhstan
19:45 Crisis management
22:00 Going public
25:46 Advice for Canadian investors
26:53 Enchanting and eclectic Nur-Sultan
28:22 Kazakhstan Canada Business Council 2022
29:25 Fundraising insights
30:39 What made Darren a leader?
31:27 What does the future hold?
32:45 Closing

Icebreakers is produced by CECC, an independent non-profit organization that promotes bilateral trade and investment between Canada and Eurasia. www.canadaeurasia.com

We are hosting Mr. Jim Gibson today, Chief Catalyst and Community Leader at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Jim is a passionate serial entrepreneur and author of “Tip of the Spear: Our Species and Technology at a Crossroads”. Jim brings over 30 years of experience in digital technologies, innovations, mentorship, and technological ventures into the conversation.

With his help we are exploring the notion of digital literacy and digital citizenship as well as investigate the coming tsunami of technological change. Precisely, how will the exponential technological growth influence our lives, education sector and contemporary youth?  What are the opportunities for Canada-Eurasia collaboration and what does “How to change the World” program contribute to the global education industry?

Related links:
SAIT
SADT
"How to change the World" Program"
Tip of the Spear: Our Species and Technology at a Crossroads" book by Jim Gibson

Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Welcome Jim Gibson
1:27 What does it mean to be digitally literate?
4:46 Digital Intelligence classes for digital natives by SAIT
9:05 Understanding your digital footprint
11:00 Technology genie out of the bottle but the legislation is lagging
14:21 What skills will students need in the future?
16:12 Will we reach singularity soon?
18:03 20 years of change in 20 months
20:51 International programs and corporate trainings
24:03
Smart cities
26:43 “How to Change the World” program
31:17 SAIT School of Advanced Digital Technology (SADT)
34:00 The role of mentorship in education
36:02 What made you a Leader?
36:56 Pay attention! Or What does the future hold?
38:20 Outro

Icebreakers is produced by CECC, an independent non-profit organization that promotes bilateral trade and investment between Canada and Eurasia. www.canadaeurasia.com