Kazakhstan News Roundup - June 24, 2008

energy:

KazMunaiGas sees stable production levels on core fields at 9.5 million tonnes
(Thomson Financial - Forbes) - JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production said it is on track to achieve its 2008 plan of maintaining stable production levels on its core fields at about 9.5 million tonnes.

KazMunaiGas E&P delays acquisition due to tax reform
(Reuters) - London-listed Kazakh oil producer KazMunaiGas Exploration and Production (KMG E&P) said on Monday it would delay at least one planned acquisition this year due to expected tax reform.

Toshiba agrees metals deal with Kazatomprom
(Financial Times) - Toshiba, the Japanese electronics group, has signed a deal to secure supplies of rare metals for its nuclear power business from Kazatomprom, the state-owned Kazakh nuclear company, in the latest sign of strong demand for such commodities.

BMB Munai, Inc. set to join Russell 3000 Index (PR Newswire)

Kazakhstan delegation takes part in International Oil Conference (Kazakhstan Today)

business and economy:

Kazakh state pays less than promised
(Bloomberg - St. Petersburg Times) - The Kazakh government has spent 51 billion tenge ($417 million) to complete stalled residential construction projects, a fraction of bailouts promised by the prime minister last year.

Kazakhstan fixes its tax code
(Kommersant) - The government of Kazakhstan has presented a concept for a new tax code. The country plans to ease the tax burden on business, compensating for it by sharply increasing taxes on mineral users, except for the two dozen largest of them, mainly those at the Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachanak fields.

Kazakh-German working group on trade and economic coop holds its VI session in Berlin (Kazinform)

Presentation of initiative Kazakhstan and USA public-private economic partnership to be held in Astana (Kazakhstan Today)

Rixos opens 2nd hotel in Kazakhstan (Focus on Travel)

National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates June 24, 2008 (Kazinform)

Indicators - June 23, 2008

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

politics:

Chinese FM to visit Kazakhstan on June 24-25 (Kazinform)

Luxemburg PM expected in Kazakhstan on June 26-28 (Kazinform)

Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations with Uganda, Sudan and Mozambique (Interfax)

society:

Human Rights group criticizes Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
(AP/IHT) - Propelled by a surge of oil and natural gas wealth, Russia has become the leading anti-democratic force in its region, a private democracy watchdog organization says.

Car crash leaves eight dead, nine injured in Kazakhstan (RIA Novosti)

Kazakhstan residents to blame for spread of corruption in 90% cases – expert (Interfax)

regional news:

Nabucco chief eyes Iranian, Russian gas despite U.S. objections
(RFE/RL - EurasiaNet) - When finished, the Nabucco gas pipeline will run from eastern Turkey to the heart of Europe, completely bypassing Russia. But while its route is established, its suppliers have yet to be fully determined. And therein lies the controversy.

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - June 24, 2008

Nabucco chief eyes Iranian, Russian gas despite U.S. objections
(RFE/RL - EurasiaNet) - When finished, the Nabucco gas pipeline will run from eastern Turkey to the heart of Europe, completely bypassing Russia. But while its route is established, its suppliers have yet to be fully determined. And therein lies the controversy.

Kazakhstan Society Roundup - June 24, 2008

Human Rights group criticizes Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
(AP/IHT) - Propelled by a surge of oil and natural gas wealth, Russia has become the leading anti-democratic force in its region, a private democracy watchdog organization says.

Car crash leaves eight dead, nine injured in Kazakhstan (RIA Novosti)

Kazakhstan residents to blame for spread of corruption in 90% cases – expert (Interfax)

Kazakhstan Politics Roundup - June 24, 2008

Chinese FM to visit Kazakhstan on June 24-25 (Kazinform)

Luxemburg PM expected in Kazakhstan on June 26-28 (Kazinform)

Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations with Uganda, Sudan and Mozambique (Interfax)

Kazakhstan Business and Economy Roundup - June 24, 2008

Kazakh state pays less than promised
(Bloomberg - St. Petersburg Times) - The Kazakh government has spent 51 billion tenge ($417 million) to complete stalled residential construction projects, a fraction of bailouts promised by the prime minister last year.

Kazakhstan fixes its tax code
(Kommersant) - The government of Kazakhstan has presented a concept for a new tax code. The country plans to ease the tax burden on business, compensating for it by sharply increasing taxes on mineral users, except for the two dozen largest of them, mainly those at the Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachanak fields.

Kazakh-German working group on trade and economic coop holds its VI session in Berlin (Kazinform)

Presentation of initiative Kazakhstan and USA public-private economic partnership to be held in Astana (Kazakhstan Today)

Rixos opens 2nd hotel in Kazakhstan (Focus on Travel)

National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates June 24, 2008 (Kazinform)

Indicators - June 23, 2008
(Reuters) - Kazakhstan’s economic indicators based on data provided by the State Statistics Agency, government institutions, the central bank and exchanges.

Kazakhstan Energy Roundup - June 24, 2008

KazMunaiGas sees stable production levels on core fields at 9.5 million tonnes
(Thomson Financial - Forbes) - JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production said it is on track to achieve its 2008 plan of maintaining stable production levels on its core fields at about 9.5 million tonnes.

KazMunaiGas E&P delays acquisition due to tax reform
(Reuters) - London-listed Kazakh oil producer KazMunaiGas Exploration and Production (KMG E&P) said on Monday it would delay at least one planned acquisition this year due to expected tax reform.

Toshiba agrees metals deal with Kazatomprom
(Financial Times) - Toshiba, the Japanese electronics group, has signed a deal to secure supplies of rare metals for its nuclear power business from Kazatomprom, the state-owned Kazakh nuclear company, in the latest sign of strong demand for such commodities.

BMB Munai, Inc. set to join Russell 3000 Index (PR Newswire)

Kazakhstan delegation takes part in International Oil Conference (Kazakhstan Today)