Khazi, Afghan's Trade Minister, and Zhaksybekov signed an Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation on 15 April 2004. President Nazarbayev and Afghan President Hamid Karzai signed an agreement on Treaty on Foundations of Relations and Cooperation earlier that day in Astana. The meeting was Karzai's first official visit to Kazakhstan. Nazarbayev told a news conference in Astana, "Kazakhstan is absolutely interested in developing trade, economic and political relations with Afghanistan, as well as in our joint fight against terrorism and drug trafficking." He continued by saying the entire world was eager to see peace and economic restoration in Afghanistan, and "we are in this coalition. We are grateful to President Karzai for inviting Kazakh bankers and businesspeople to come and work in Afghanistan. Today's visit of the Afghan President is historic, because we meet here for the first time since the statehood of Afghanistan has been restored and the documents we signed are a good foundation for further cooperation." The President continued by offering to provide Kazakh experts "ready to work in Afghanistan in geology, building roads and installations, helping with medical professional, and continue to assist in any way we can, because we are interested in stability in Afghanistan. We want to trade and to use Afghan territory to build links to the south." Karzai said, "I believe Kazakhstan is an example of a country that was given an opportunity and used it. We intend to continue working with Kazakhstan to develop transit potential and bilateral trade." Information technology On 26 March 2004, Zhaksybekov met with Information Minister Birzhan Kaneshev and Jean-Philippe Courtois, the Microsoft CEO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, in Astana. They signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the development of information technology in Kazakhstan. Microsoft agreed to help the government create an internal network, an information technology sector, and Microsoft Office software in Kazakh. Courtois noted Microsoft and the government agreed to exchange information security knowledge. Zhaksybekov said the MOU would lead to future deals with other companies "involving big money." Islamic Development Bank The Islamic Development Bank, which Zhaksybekov chaired in 2003, agreed to lend the Kazakh government an additional USD $32 million in a meeting in September 2003. IRIN reported the money was lent for "upgrading water and postal systems and establishing a 'legal and humanitarian' university." 2007 political shakeup Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov resigned on 8 January 2007. President Nazarbayev nominated