Archive for May 5th, 2008
Astana set to make an energy export break with Russia
Efforts to construct a trans-Caspian pipeline that would dent Russia’s energy-export dominance in the region continue to make incremental progress.
Kazakhstan’s emerging middle class
Kazakhstan’s development as a rising petro-state from the debris of the collapse of the USSR in 1991 is Central Asia’s leading success story.
News Roundup - May 5, 2008
energy:
Astana set to make an energy export break with Russia
(EurasiaNet) - Efforts to construct a trans-Caspian pipeline that would dent Russia’s energy-export dominance in the region continue to make incremental progress…
Contracts with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan for Sangachal-Garadagh Terminal loading to be signed for one or two months (Azerbaijan Business Center)
Arawak acquires Tamdykol exploration block in Kazakhstan (Energy News/Newswire)
Max Petroleum extends completion deadline for restructuring deal to June 30 (Interactive Investor/Thomson Financial)
Presentation of main line pipeline Kazakhstan - China took place in Taraz (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
mineral resources:
Kazakhstan’s private metals, mining cos’ rating not to exceed sovereign - S&P
(Forbes/Thomson Financial) - Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said it does not expect the ratings on private metal and mining companies in Kazakhstan to exceed that of the sovereign, rated foreign currency at ‘BBB-/A-3′ and local currency at ‘BBB/A-3′ with a negative outlook…
Kazakh group buys into Brazilian iron ore
(Mineweb) - Kazakh-based Eurasian Natural Resources Corp exercised an option to acquire Brazilian iron ore developer Bahia Mineracao…
business and economy:
Lufthansa Cargo to conduct Krasnoyarsk test flights
(Flight INternational) - Lufthansa Cargo has signed an agreement that could result in transferring its Asian freight hub to Krasnoyarsk, Russia from Astana, Kazakhstan…
Kazakh Inflation Leaps on Food Prices
(Bloomberg/The Moscow Times) - Kazakh inflation accelerated in April to an annual 19.1 percent, the highest rate since March 2000, as food prices increased…
Kazakh CPI 0.9 pct, up mth/mth in April
(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s monthly consumer price inflation quickened to 0.9 percent in April 2008 from 0.6 percent in previous month…
Kazakhstan wants to cut 2008 budget, says Finance Minister (Interfax)
Cargo airport will be constructed near Korgas, says Transport Ministry (Interfax)
New bank capital requirements come into effect (Interfax)
Almaty akim offered a solution to “suspended” constructing objects (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
Almaty to host 15th healthcare exhibition KIHE – 2008 (Kazinform)
Indicators - Kazakhstan - May 4
(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s economic indicators based on data provided by the State Statistics Agency, government institutions, the central bank and exchanges…
politics:
Prime Minister of Korea expected in Kazakhstan
(Kazinform) - Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-soo will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on May 13-15…
Preparation to the forthcoming visit of Russian president to Kazakhstan will be discussed in Moscow by foreign affairs heads (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
society:
Kazakhstan, the new country for Central Asian workers
(CACI Analyst) - Although Kazakhstan experienced significant net emigration throughout the 1990s, it has now become a republic of immigration in the space of a few years. Large numbers of migrants from the other Central Asian countries are drawn to Kazakhstan because it is easier to move there than to Russia; xenophobia is much less rife; and the rhythm of economic development makes it very attractive in salary terms…
Astana given place in Giro field
(BBC News) - Organisers of the Giro d’Italia have invited the Astana team to compete in their tour at just one week’s notice…
Hong Kong beat Kazakhstan in Asian Five Nations rugby match
(AFP) - Hong Kong beat Kazakhstan 23-17 in the Asian Five Nations tournament Saturday, keeping up the pressure on early pacesetters Japan…
Korean, Kazakhstan fests ink deal
(Variety) - Korea’s Jeonju Film Festival and Kazakhstan’s Eurasia Film Festival have partnered in a deal that covers programming and promotion…
regional news:
EU-Turkmenistan talks: Brussels seeks common Central Asia policy
(CACI Analyst) - The success of the Nabucco pipeline is contingent on a myriad of factors, with skeptics doubting the project will be realized. Besides its economic feasibility, Nabucco’s success will depend on Turkmenistan’s relations with its biggest gas client – Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan’s decision to participate in the project, and the EU’s domestic pressures that prioritize human rights and democratization processes ahead of strategic cooperation…
Azerbaijan ready for sturgeon fishing ban though reluctant to follow Russia
(EurasiaNet) - Azerbaijan stands ready to back a Russian ban on Caspian Sea sturgeon fishing, but local experts say that, in many ways, Azerbaijan is more of a model for sustainable sturgeon fishing than Russia itself…
Russia mulls stronger partnership with Uzbekistan
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - The Kremlin has moved to strengthen ties with Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s most populous nation, through the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) as well as major energy projects…
Regional News Roundup - May 5, 2008
EU-Turkmenistan talks: Brussels seeks common Central Asia policy
(CACI Analyst) - The success of the Nabucco pipeline is contingent on a myriad of factors, with skeptics doubting the project will be realized. Besides its economic feasibility, Nabucco’s success will depend on Turkmenistan’s relations with its biggest gas client – Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan’s decision to participate in the project, and the EU’s domestic pressures that prioritize human rights and democratization processes ahead of strategic cooperation…
Azerbaijan ready for sturgeon fishing ban though reluctant to follow Russia
(EurasiaNet) - Azerbaijan stands ready to back a Russian ban on Caspian Sea sturgeon fishing, but local experts say that, in many ways, Azerbaijan is more of a model for sustainable sturgeon fishing than Russia itself…
Russia mulls stronger partnership with Uzbekistan
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - The Kremlin has moved to strengthen ties with Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s most populous nation, through the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) as well as major energy projects…
Society News - May 5, 2008
Kazakhstan, the new country for Central Asian workers
(CACI Analyst) - Although Kazakhstan experienced significant net emigration throughout the 1990s, it has now become a republic of immigration in the space of a few years. Large numbers of migrants from the other Central Asian countries are drawn to Kazakhstan because it is easier to move there than to Russia; xenophobia is much less rife; and the rhythm of economic development makes it very attractive in salary terms…
Astana given place in Giro field
(BBC News) - Organisers of the Giro d’Italia have invited the Astana team to compete in their tour at just one week’s notice…
Hong Kong beat Kazakhstan in Asian Five Nations rugby match
(AFP) - Hong Kong beat Kazakhstan 23-17 in the Asian Five Nations tournament Saturday, keeping up the pressure on early pacesetters Japan…
Korean, Kazakhstan fests ink deal
(Variety) - Korea’s Jeonju Film Festival and Kazakhstan’s Eurasia Film Festival have partnered in a deal that covers programming and promotion…
Politics Roundup - May 5, 2008
Prime Minister of Korea expected in Kazakhstan
(Kazinform) - Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-soo will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan on May 13-15…
Preparation to the forthcoming visit of Russian president to Kazakhstan will be discussed in Moscow by foreign affairs heads (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
Business and Economy Roundup - May 5, 2008
Lufthansa Cargo to conduct Krasnoyarsk test flights
(Flight INternational) - Lufthansa Cargo has signed an agreement that could result in transferring its Asian freight hub to Krasnoyarsk, Russia from Astana, Kazakhstan…
Kazakh Inflation Leaps on Food Prices
(Bloomberg/The Moscow Times) - Kazakh inflation accelerated in April to an annual 19.1 percent, the highest rate since March 2000, as food prices increased…
Kazakh CPI 0.9 pct, up mth/mth in April
(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s monthly consumer price inflation quickened to 0.9 percent in April 2008 from 0.6 percent in previous month…
Kazakhstan wants to cut 2008 budget, says Finance Minister (Interfax)
Cargo airport will be constructed near Korgas, says Transport Ministry (Interfax)
New bank capital requirements come into effect (Interfax)
Almaty akim offered a solution to “suspended” constructing objects (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
Almaty to host 15th healthcare exhibition KIHE – 2008 (Kazinform)
Indicators - Kazakhstan - May 4
(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s economic indicators based on data provided by the State Statistics Agency, government institutions, the central bank and exchanges…
Mineral Resources Roundup - May 5, 2008
Kazakhstan’s private metals, mining cos’ rating not to exceed sovereign - S&P
(Forbes/Thomson Financial) - Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said it does not expect the ratings on private metal and mining companies in Kazakhstan to exceed that of the sovereign, rated foreign currency at ‘BBB-/A-3′ and local currency at ‘BBB/A-3′ with a negative outlook…
Kazakh group buys into Brazilian iron ore
(Mineweb) - Kazakh-based Eurasian Natural Resources Corp exercised an option to acquire Brazilian iron ore developer Bahia Mineracao…
Energy Roundup - May 5, 2008
Astana set to make an energy export break with Russia
(EurasiaNet) - Efforts to construct a trans-Caspian pipeline that would dent Russia’s energy-export dominance in the region continue to make incremental progress…
Contracts with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan for Sangachal-Garadagh Terminal loading to be signed for one or two months (Azerbaijan Business Center)
Arawak acquires Tamdykol exploration block in Kazakhstan (Energy News/Newswire)
Max Petroleum extends completion deadline for restructuring deal to June 30 (Interactive Investor/Thomson Financial)
Presentation of main line pipeline Kazakhstan - China took place in Taraz (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
