Archive for May, 2008
News Roundup - May 29, 2008
energy:
Caspian Holdings raises 200,000 pounds via placement with CEO-associated fund (Hemscott)
business and economy:
Kazakh central bank to cut reserve requirement
(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s central bank plans to inject more than $800 million into the banking sector by cutting reserve requirements on banks’ foreign liabilities, a central bank official said on Wednesday.
Kazkommertsbank gets control of Russian unit
(Reuters) - Kazkommertsbank, one of Kazakhstan’s largest lenders, said on Wednesday it has raised its stake in Russian subsidiary Moskommertsbank to 100 percent.
Heavier tax burden not to weaken Kazakhstan’s investment appeal
(Interfax) - Kazakhstan Finance Minister Bolat Zhamishev talked about the new Tax Code and the situation in the financial markets in an interview with Interfax.
Ministry of Agriculture considers necessary to regulate grain export (AgriMarket.info)
In Q1 2008 BTA Bank became the largest bank in Kazakhstan by assets (Business Wire)
No prerequisites for systematic financial crisis exist in Kazakhstan – Prime Minister (Interfax)
Almaty hosts “Kazagrofood-2008” Forum (Kazinform)
The next foreign investors session is take place in Aturau on June 6 (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
Chymkent-Urumchi flight temporarily cancelled (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
Microsoft General Manager in Kazakhstan leaves his post (Kazinform)
National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates May 29, 2008 (Kazinform)
politics:
Dmitry Medvedev looks far beyond an energy alliance with Astana
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - There was a great deal of political calculation aimed at sobering up adamant western leaders to the hard-line stance of the post-Putin Kremlin in Dmitry Medvedev’s first foreign trip to Astana as Russian President on May 22.
society:
Kazakhstan debates polygamy amid regional rise in popularity
(RFE/RL) - Want a second wife? Then simply get your first wife’s consent and prove you can financially support another family. A new draft law in Kazakhstan would allow any man who is able to meet those two requirements to take a second, third, or even a fourth wife.
Kazakh teachers and doctors register an association to protect their rights (Interfax)
Kazakh-Russian coop in educational sphere to be discussed (Kazinform)
regional news:
Euro-Asian oil transportation corridor proposed at Kyiv energy summit
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - The presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania agreed on May 22 and 23 in Kyiv on steps to create a Euro-Asian Oil Transportation Corridor. The planned EAOTC is a centerpiece to the concept of an Energy Transit Space, which was also launched at the Kyiv summit of Caspian, Black Sea, and Baltic countries.
Business and Economy Roundup - May 29, 2008
Kazkommertsbank gains control of Russian unit
(Reuters) - Kazkommertsbank, one of Kazakhstan’s largest lenders, said on Wednesday it has raised its stake in Russian subsidiary Moskommertsbank to 100 percent.
Heavier tax burden not to weaken Kazakhstan’s investment appeal
(Interfax) - Kazakhstan Finance Minister Bolat Zhamishev talked about the new Tax Code and the situation in the financial markets in an interview with Interfax.
Ministry of Agriculture considers necessary to regulate grain export (AgriMarket.info)
In Q1 2008 BTA Bank became the largest bank in Kazakhstan by assets (Business Wire)
No prerequisites for systematic financial crisis exist in Kazakhstan – Prime Minister (Interfax)
Almaty hosts “Kazagrofood-2008” Forum (Kazinform)
The next foreign investors session is take place in Aturau on June 6 (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
Chymkent-Urumchi flight temporarily cancelled (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
Microsoft General Manager in Kazakhstan leaves his post (Kazinform)
National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates May 29, 2008 (Kazinform)
Society Roundup - May 29, 2008
Kazakhstan debates polygamy amid regional rise in popularity
(RFE/RL) - Want a second wife? Then simply get your first wife’s consent and prove you can financially support another family. A new draft law in Kazakhstan would allow any man who is able to meet those two requirements to take a second, third, or even a fourth wife.
Kazakh teachers and doctors register an association to protect their rights (Interfax)
Kazakh-Russian coop in educational sphere to be discussed (Kazinform)
Regional News Roundup - May 29, 2008
Euro-Asian oil transportation corridor proposed at Kyiv energy summit
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - The presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania agreed on May 22 and 23 in Kyiv on steps to create a Euro-Asian Oil Transportation Corridor. The planned EAOTC is a centerpiece to the concept of an Energy Transit Space, which was also launched at the Kyiv summit of Caspian, Black Sea, and Baltic countries.
Medvedev sends subtle signals to the West with Kazakhstan visit
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made his first state visit on May 22 and 23, with Kazakhstan as his destination, before proceeding to China. Although he traveled east, his message seemed subtly calibrated for Western consumption.
News Roundup - May 28, 2008
mineral resources:
Industry Ministry may abandon the idea of metal customs duty
(Interfax) - Ministry of Industry and Trade may abandon the earlier announced plans for imposing export customs duty on metal products.
Incredible drill results for Central Asia Resources’ Altyntas gold prospect (Mineweb)
business and economy:
Kazakhstan’s sovereign rating may persist against volatile real estate market, says Finance Minister
(Interfax) - “The Negative outlook will persist against volatile real estate and uncertainty with respect of the scope of government support to the construction sector,” the minister said in an interview with Interfax-Kazakhstan.
RG Brands JSC, EBRD signed 50 mln loan agreement
(Kazinform) - RG Brands JSC – one of the leading companies on food and beverages market of Kazakhstan and Central Asia – has signed a loan agreement worth USD 50 mln with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Kazinform correspondent reports.
Kazakhstan will not restrict export of new yield grain (AgriMarket.info)
PM does not rule out possible ban on Kazakh flour export (Kazinform)
Research and Markets: Kazakhstan Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Report Q2 2008 available now (Business Wire)
Kazakhstani government invites Swedish investors to take part in “30 corporative leaders of Kazakhstan” state program (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates May 28, 2008 (Kazinform)
(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s economic indicators based on data provided by the State Statistics Agency, government institutions, the central bank and exchanges.
politics:
Medvedev visits Kazakhstan: Sending subtle signals to the West
(Eurasia Daily Monitor) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made his first state visit on May 22 and 23, with Kazakhstan as his destination, before proceeding to China. Although he traveled east, his message seemed subtly calibrated for Western consumption.
society:
Letter to Information and Culture minister about blocking of Radio Free Europe website
(Reporters Without Borders) - Reporters Without Borders and the Kazakh public foundation “Journalists in danger” wrote to Information and Culture minister Kul-Mukhamed Mukhtar Abraruly today asking why access to the Kazakh and English-language versions of the Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty website has been blocked in Kazakhstan for the past six weeks.
China-Kazakhstan passenger train sets out for virgin trip
(Xinhua) - The first international passenger train left Astana, capital of Kazakhstan Tuesday afternoon for Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, providing a faster link between western China and central Asia.
China receives humanitarian aid from Kazakhstan (Kazinform)
Society Roundup - May 28, 2008
Letter to Information and Culture minister about blocking of Radio Free Europe website
(Reporters Without Borders) - Reporters Without Borders and the Kazakh public foundation “Journalists in danger” wrote to Information and Culture minister Kul-Mukhamed Mukhtar Abraruly today asking why access to the Kazakh and English-language versions of the Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty website has been blocked in Kazakhstan for the past six weeks.
China-Kazakhstan passenger train sets out for virgin trip
(Xinhua) - The first international passenger train left Astana, capital of Kazakhstan Tuesday afternoon for Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, providing a faster link between western China and central Asia.
Kazakhstan to initiate elaboration of a “road-map” on inter-ethnic and inter-confessional harmony strengthening (Kazinform)
China receives humanitarian aid from Kazakhstan (Kazinform)
Business and Economy Roundup - May 28, 2008
Kazakhstan’s sovereign rating may persist against volatile real estate market, says Finance Minister
(Interfax) - “The Negative outlook will persist against volatile real estate and uncertainty with respect of the scope of government support to the construction sector,” the minister said in an interview with Interfax-Kazakhstan.
RG Brands JSC, EBRD signed 50 mln loan agreement
(Kazinform) - RG Brands JSC – one of the leading companies on food and beverages market of Kazakhstan and Central Asia – has signed a loan agreement worth USD 50 mln with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Kazinform correspondent reports.
Kazakhstan will not restrict export of new yield grain (AgriMarket.info)
PM does not rule out possible ban on Kazakh flour export (Kazinform)
Research and Markets: Kazakhstan Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Report Q2 2008 available now (Business Wire)
Kazakhstani government invites Swedish investors to take part in “30 corporative leaders of Kazakhstan” state program (Kazakhstan Today/Gazeta.kz)
National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates May 28, 2008 (Kazinform)
Indicators - May 27, 2008
(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s economic indicators based on data provided by the State Statistics Agency, government institutions, the central bank and exchanges.
News Roundup - May 28, 2008
Industry Ministry may abandon the idea of metal customs duty
(Interfax) - Ministry of Industry and Trade may abandon the earlier announced plans for imposing export customs duty on metal products.
Incredible drill results for Central Asia Resources’ Altyntas gold prospect (Mineweb)
Kazakhstan’s changing attitude to foreign investment
Kazakhstan has attracted a significant amount of foreign direct investment, totalling $43.5-billion (U.S.) by end-2007 – equivalent to some 42 per cent of GDP. The extractive industries and associated services account for around three-quarters of total FDI stock.
