News Roundup

News Roundup - June 10, 2008

By SRI ⋅ June 10, 2008 ⋅

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energy:

Kazakhstan bans exports of petrol and diesel

(New Europe) - As of June 1, Kazakhstan imposed a ban on exports of gas and diesel fuel. However, despite of the government’s efforts, prices at the gas stations continue to grow. In this connection, Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov has ordered expediting the purchase by the government of the control stock of Mangistaumunaigas (MMG).

Chevron seeks participation in Kazakh pipeline project

(Turkish Weekly) - Construction of the pipeline between Yeskene and Kuryk, part of the Kazakh Caspian System, is scheduled to begin in the near future. The American oil producer, Chevron, is reportedly interested in the project, also.

KazMunaiGas launches $2.5 bln syndicated loan - source

(Reuters) - Kazakhstan oil and gas company KazMunaiGas has launched syndication of a $2.5 billion, three-year unsecured loan, a banking source said.

mineral resources:

Funeral held for workers killed in ArcelorMittal mine in Kazakhstan

(AP/Yahoo! News) - Authorities in a town in central Kazakhstan say a funeral has been held for five workers killed last week in a collapse at an ArcelorMittal coal mine.

Hambledon FY pretax loss widens; sees strong cash flows in remainder of 2008 (Thomson Financial/Interactive Investor)

business and economy:

International companies get stuck into Kazakh cement

(Business New Europe/SRI) - New players from Russia and Europe are entering the Kazakh cement market, lured by high prices and strong long-term forecasts for the construction materials sector, while local companies are expanding their operations.

Broadcasts via Kazakhstan’s first satellite interrupted on Sunday

(Interfax) - Broadcasts via Kazakhstan’s first telecommunication satellite were interrupted on Sunday, representatives of several telecommunication companies told Interfax on Monday.

JP Morgan to help Kazakhstan raise $15 billion

(Silk Road Intelligencer) - JP Morgan Chase & Co. may help Kazakhstan raise $15 billion through borrowing and issue of securities in the next 5-7 years, Interfax Kazakhstan reported on Monday citing Bloomberg.

Kazakh and Russian institutions to invest in Macquarie Renaissance infrastructure fund

(Interfax) - The starting fund is estimated at between $1 billion and $1.5 billion, and VEB is expected to provide $200 million, the Eurasian Development Bank up to $200 million and Kazyna Capital Management $100 million.

National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates June 10, 2008 (Kazinform)

Indicators - June 9, 2008

(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s economic indicators based on data provided by the State Statistics Agency, government institutions, the central bank and exchanges.

politics:

Influential Nazarbayev lieutenant faces smear campaign

(EurasiaNet) - As Kazakhstan’s capital gears up for lavish 10th anniversary festivities, all eyes are on Astana’s new mayor, Imangali Tasmagambetov. A charismatic politician often mentioned as a possible successor to President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Tasmagambetov has found himself in the media spotlight, albeit perhaps not in the way he would have wished.

NATO Parliamentary Assembly president to pay first official visit to Kazakhstan

(Interfax) - Jose Lello, the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, is to pay his first official visit to Kazakhstan on June 12.

Astana won’t be renamed - so far

(neweurasia.net) - Last week former Defense Minister and incumbent MP Sat Tokpakbaev came out with the proposal to rename Astana, the capital city, to Nursultan in honor of the president.

Almaty to expand through suburban villages

(Interfax) - Almaty will enlarge by swallowing nearby villages and uniting them into a new administrative district.

Kazakhstan, China to discuss security cooperation in Beijing (Kazinform)

Role of Kazakhstan People’s Assembly is rising: Sec of State (Kazinform)

Kazakh President to visit France on June 10-11 (Kazinform)

society:

Genghis Khan trilogy opens with slow-moving “Mongol”

(Reuters) - The film, which snared a best foreign-language film Oscar nomination representing Kazakhstan, feels far longer than its two-hour running time.

Astana to host 2nd Eurasian Women Summit (Kazinform)