Israel with a clear message to the nation in Zion from the president, that Kazakhstan is a moderate 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 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 US$10 million to Israeli VC fund Vertex. 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." Prime Minister of Kazakhstan (2007–2012, 2014–2016) Nomination for Prime Minister President Nazarbayev nominated Massimov to succeed Daniyal Akhmetov as Prime Minister on 9 January 2007. Akhmetov resigned on 8 January without explanation. Analysts attributed Akhmetov's political downfall to the President's criticism of his administrative oversight of the economy. The Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the nomination on 10 January with 37 out of 39 Senators and 66 of 77 Assemblymen from the Mazhilis voting for Massimov. Akhmetov became the Defense Minister, replacing Mukhtar Altynbayev. First term (2007–2012) In an interview to Echo of Moscow radio on 12 December 2008, Massimov said about himself: "I myself am an Internet user, I myself am a blogger." A couple of months later, he opened his blog on the government's website, explaining the need to provide high-quality, interesting and useful information about the socio-economic situation in the country. From that moment on, members of the government actively went online. Ministers' accounts appeared in many social networks, and virtual blogs have replaced real receptions. Massimov's government faced the worldwide Great Recession. On 4 February 2009, the National Bank of Kazakhstan devalued the Kazakhstani tenge by 22%. Massimov ordered to stabilize prices in Kazakhstan by instructing law enforcement agencies to ensure that the dollar exchange rate fluctuates within 150 tenge plus or minus 3%. The reforms and strategic interventions pursued by the government almost doubled the GDP per capita of Kazakhstan from 2008-2012, with economic growth rates reaching an average level of 5.5% per year. The first phase of the Kazakh Unified National Healthcare System was implemented during this time. Massimov was directly involved in the preparation for the 2011 Asian