On his first official visit since replacing Temirhan Dosmuhambetov as President last month, Kulibayev discussed the development of sports in Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region, as well as the "exchange of views on further reinforcement of cooperation and expansion of the world's ninth largest country's representations in all relevant areas".

This includes the IOC and recognised International Sports Federations as well as the preparation of the Kazakhstani team for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year.

Both Presidents agreed to "continue to consolidate and develop their strategic partnership in benefit of both sides, based on the principles of equality, respect and trust".

"Almaty 2022 did an outstanding work during bidding campaign demonstrating worldwide sports society beautiful country and the ability to host major sports events," Bach said, following the meeting held during the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly here.

"This impression was shared by IOC members and all members of Olympic Movement.

"There is a great potential and high expertise, we do hope that they will not be neglected, but employed during future bids and NOC work process in general."

Almaty was ultimately unsuccessful in its bid to land the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, albeit by a much narrower margin that many expected, losing out to Chinese capital Beijing by 44 votes to 40.

The bid certainly boosted Kazakhstan's standing within the Movement, with it thought the country may soon be rewarded with an IOC member. 

If that does happen, Kulibayev, a high profile businessman, the son-in-law of the Central Asian country's President Nursultan Nazarbayev, would be a leading contender.

The 49-year-old from Almaty is also an International Boxing Association vice-president and head of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation and of the Sports Confederation of Combat and Strength Sports.

Away from sport, he has served as chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund, the main sponsor of Almaty 2022.

"The NOC is essentially an integral part of the International Olympic Committee, the international cooperation has been and remains one of the most important and main activities," he said.

"We will continue to strengthen its cooperation with the IOC, the Association of National Olympic Committees, the Olympic Council of Asia, the world's leading National Olympic Committees and International Sports Federations."

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