News Roundup - March 5, 2008

Eurasia Insight: Opposition party tries to make a fresh start

One of Kazakhstan’s leading opposition parties has re-branded itself, with a new name and a leadership shake-up. Party leaders hope that the makeover will inject new momentum into attempts to open up Kazakhstan’s political system…

The Hindu: Mittal may not transfer Kazakhstan assets to ONGC JV

Lakshmi N Mittal’s proposal to transfer the Kazakhstan oil fields, which he acquired from Russia’s Lukoil, to his joint venture firm with state-run ONGC Videsh Ltd has hit a fresh hurdle with a new Kazakhstan energy law putting barriers for transfer of ownership…

Reuters: Kazakhstan gold/forex reserves rise to $19.0 bln

Kazakhstan’s net gold and foreign currency reserves rose to $19.0 billion as of Feb. 29 from $18.7 billion on Feb. 15, the central bank said on Tuesday…

Gazeta.KZ: Kazakhstan is the most trustful and close Russia’s partner - Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev thinks Kazakhstan is the most trustful and close Russia’s partner, reports KZ-today correspondent with reference to the RK President Administration press service…

Red Orbit: Kazakhstan considers joining Iranian oil pipeline project

Kazakhstan may participate in a project on the construction of the Neka-Jask oil pipeline in Iran to make provision for transit of its oil via this country, a source at the information policy department of the KazMunayGaz [Kazakh oil and gas] national oil and gas holding company has said to Panorama [newspaper]…

Eurasia Daily Monitor: Frequent crashes cast doubt on Russian-made jets in Kazakh Air Force

On the morning of February 12, a MiG-29 fighter jet from the Kazakh Air Force crashed while landing at a military airfield in Almaty region. Just seconds before the plane hit the ground, crew members ejected from the cockpit, but because of the low altitude, their parachutes did not have enough time to deploy…

Trading Markets: Kazakhmys cut to ’sell’ vs ‘underperform’ by Seymour Pierce

Seymour Pierce downgraded Kazakhmys PLC, the largest copper producer in Kazakhstan, to ’sell’ from ‘underperform’ as the broker expects copper prices to decline…

Neweurasia.net: Second-Life Astana

The Kazakh segment of Internet has burst with an ambitious project - Second Astana. As reported by Cnews, the “building” of a second Astana online is a sep towards promotion of the brand called “Republic of Kazakhstan” in the world…

Interfax: AIC soon to design Kaznet concept development; create top 30 popular sites

The concept of forming a unified information space in Kazakhstan Internet segment (Kaznet) will soon be submitted to the government for consideration, the chair of the Agency for Information and Communications (AIC) Kuanyshbek Yesekeyev said…

Kazinform: Kazakhstan to develop bilateral coop with Qatar: Nazarbayev

“Kazakhstan intends to develop bilateral relations with Qatar”, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev has said at the talks with Emir of Qatar today in Astana…

Kazinform: Kazakhstan, Qatar to create joint investment fund

A memo of understanding between Kazyna Fund and Qatar’s authoritative body on creation of the Kazakh-Qatari investment fund has been signed today…

Kazinform: Kazakh PM to visit the US to launch private public partnership initiative

On March 10-12, 2008 Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, Honorable Karim Massimov, will visit the United States to participate in the inauguration conference of Kazakhstan-US Public-Private Economic Partnership and meet top US officials…