Kazakhstan Daily News Roundup - January 29, 2009

RECENT ANALYSIS:

First movers take all in Kazakh mobile market (bne)

Marchenko’s appointment clears path to devaluation (SRI)

Central Asia poised to become the atomic El Dorado (RFE/RL)

ENERGY:

Kazakhstan looks at the Trans-Caspian for Tengiz gas to Europe
(CACI Analyst) - The reinvigoration of prospects for a Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline (TCGP) with Turkmenistan’s participation creates the possibility for Kazakhstan to participate with gas exports.

Gauging integration of electricity markets in Central Asia (CACI Analyst)

MINERAL RESOURCES:

ENRC urges government to reduce mineral extraction tax
(SRI) - ENRC asked the government to temporarily reduce the minerals extraction tax (MET) rate to help the sector deal with falling global metals prices.

ZincOx Resources confirms receipt of USD15.7 million from sale of Shaimerden deposit (Proactive Investors)

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

SamrukKazyna equity capital USD29 billion in 2009 (SRI)

Kazakhstan seen preparing to devalue currency (RFE/RL)

Bakers, CC, White & Case launch Kazakhstan fund (TheLawyer.com)

In 2008 Kazakhstan exported over 8 million tonnes of grains (AgriMarket.Info)

SamrukKazyna invested USD4.9 billion in 140 projects by development institutions (Interfax)

National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates January 29, 2009 (Kazinform)

Indicators - January 28, 2009 (Reuters)

POLITICS:

Kazakhstan: Reaping the benefits of the U.S. plan for Afghanistan
(Stratfor) - The United States is considering purchasing a large amount of “goods for provision” - most notably, refined oil products - from Kazakhstan for its troops in Afghanistan.

Zhigalov appointed Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan (Kazinform)

REGIONAL:

Tajikistan intervenes to maintain currency rate (RFE/RL)

Rush for Nabucco: Azerbaijan’s position strengthens (Eurasia Daly Monitor)

Despite Nabucco funding plan, EU’s intentions remain muddled (RFE/RL)

Financial crisis hits Uzbekistan (CACI Analyst)

Kazakhstan Business and Economy Roundup - January 29, 2009

SamrukKazyna equity capital USD29 billion in 2009 (SRI)

Kazakhstan seen preparing to devalue currency (RFE/RL)

Bakers, CC, White & Case launch Kazakhstan fund (TheLawyer.com)

In 2008 Kazakhstan exported over 8 million tonnes of grains (AgriMarket.Info)

SamrukKazyna invested USD4.9 billion in 140 projects by development institutions (Interfax)

National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates January 29, 2009 (Kazinform)

Indicators - January 28, 2009 (Reuters)

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - January 29, 2009

Tajikistan intervenes to maintain currency rate (RFE/RL)

Rush for Nabucco: Azerbaijan’s position strengthens (Eurasia Daly Monitor)

Despite Nabucco funding plan, EU’s intentions remain muddled (RFE/RL)

Financial crisis hits Uzbekistan (CACI Analyst)

Kazakhstan Politics Roundup - January 29, 2009

Kazakhstan: Reaping the benefits of the U.S. plan for Afghanistan
(Stratfor) - The United States is considering purchasing a large amount of “goods for provision” - most notably, refined oil products - from Kazakhstan for its troops in Afghanistan.

Zhigalov appointed Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan (Kazinform)

Kazakhstan Mineral Resources Roundup - January 29, 2009

ENRC urges government to reduce mineral extraction tax
(SRI) - ENRC asked the government to temporarily reduce the minerals extraction tax (MET) rate to help the sector deal with falling global metals prices.

ZincOx Resources confirms receipt of USD15.7 million from sale of Shaimerden deposit (Proactive Investors)

Kazakhstan Energy Roundup - January 29, 2008

Kazakhstan looks at the Trans-Caspian for Tengiz gas to Europe
(CACI Analyst) - The reinvigoration of prospects for a Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline (TCGP) with Turkmenistan’s participation creates the possibility for Kazakhstan to participate with gas exports.

Gauging integration of electricity markets in Central Asia (CACI Analyst)

SamrukKazyna equity capital USD29 billion in 2009

(SRI) - The equity capital of Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund was KZT3.5 trillion (USD29 billion) as of January 1, 2009, the fund’s chairman Kairat Kelimbetov said, according to Interfax.

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ENRC urges government to reduce mineral extraction tax

(SRI) - Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), the London-listed Kazakh mining and metals group, asked the government to temporarily reduce the minerals extraction tax (MET) rate to help the sector deal with falling global metals prices, Reuters reported.

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