Archive for March 18th, 2009
ANALYSIS: Temporary respite for Kazakhstan’s electricity generation sector
(bne) - Kazakhstan’s urgent need to expand and modernise its energy sector has been somewhat allayed by the crisis and consequent fall in demand for electricity, but once the economy revives the danger of a power deficit will return.
Kazakhstan Daily News Roundup - March 18, 2009
HEADLINES:
BTA Bank admits it may seek debt restructuring
(SRI) - BTA Bank, Kazakhstan’s largest bank which was taken over by the state last month, officially announced that it may seek the restructuring of some of its USD12-billion foreign debt.
Kazakhstan’s exports via BTC pipeline rising
(SRI) - The volume of Kazakh oil transported via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline has been steadily increasing since October last year when Kazakhstan began to use the BTC route.
Fitch: Kazakh oil, gas tax changes positive
(Fitch Ratings) - The overall tax burden on Kazakh oil and gas companies, levied by a new tax code introduced at the beginning of 2009, is not likely to change significantly given the offsetting nature of other tax initiatives.
Regulator takes over management of KazTansGas-Tbilisi
(SRI) - Georgia’s state energy regulator has appointed a “special administrator” to temporarily take over the management of gas distribution company KazTransGas-Tbilisi.
MINERAL RESOURCES:
Kazakh mining output fall stokes fears of unrest
(Forbes - Reuters) - A sharp fall in Kazakhstan’s industrial output has put Central Asia’s biggest economy on course for its worst slowdown in a decade, raising the prospect of social unrest in its crucial mining sector.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:
Alliance Bank adopts new strategy, increases focus on SME
(SRI) - Alliance Bank, a large Kazakh bank which has been taken over by the state last month, announced a shift in strategy this week to increase its focus on SME and implementation of state stabilization programs.
Kazakh government mulls offering state securities to public
(Interfax) - Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Finance hopes to raise residents’ funds through a special issue of state securities to prop up the economy during the crisis.
National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates March 18, 2009 (Kazinform)
Indicators - March 17, 2009 (Reuters)
POLITICS:
Kazakhstan: CSTO military exercises scheduled for September (EurasiaNet)
Kazakhstan working to soften criminal code (RFE/RL)
Kazakhstan and NATO cooperation have big prospects for growth (Interfax)
REGIONAL:
Will the economic crisis destabilize Tajikistan?
(Slate) - The end of Russia’s building boom could cause more problems on Afghanistan’s borders.
Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - March 18, 2009
Will the economic crisis destabilize Tajikistan?
(Slate) - The end of Russia’s building boom could cause more problems on Afghanistan’s borders.
Kazakhstan Politics Roundup - March 18, 2009
Kazakhstan: CSTO military exercises scheduled for September (EurasiaNet)
Kazakhstan working to soften criminal code (RFE/RL)
Kazakhstan and NATO cooperation have big prospects for growth (Interfax)
Kazakhstan Business and Economy Roundup - March 18, 2009
BTA Bank admits it may seek debt restructuring (SRI)
Alliance Bank adopts new strategy, increases focus on SME
(SRI) - Alliance Bank, a large Kazakh bank which has been taken over by the state last month, announced a shift in strategy this week to increase its focus on SME and implementation of state stabilization programs.
Kazakh government mulls offering state securities to public
(Interfax) - Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Finance hopes to raise residents’ funds through a special issue of state securities to prop up the economy during the crisis.
National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates March 18, 2009 (Kazinform)
Indicators - March 17, 2009 (Reuters)
Kazakhstan Mineral Resources Roundup - March 18, 2009
Kazakh mining output fall stokes fears of unrest
(Forbes - Reuters) - A sharp fall in Kazakhstan’s industrial output has put Central Asia’s biggest economy on course for its worst slowdown in a decade, raising the prospect of social unrest in its crucial mining sector.
Kazakhstan Energy Roundup - March 18, 2009
Kazakhstan’s exports via BTC pipeline rising (SRI)
Fitch: Kazakh oil, gas tax changes positive (Fitch Ratings)
Kazakhstan’s exports via BTC pipeline rising
(SRI) - The volume of Kazakh oil transported via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline has been steadily increasing since October last year when Kazakhstan began to use the BTC route.
Alliance Bank adopts new strategy, increases focus on SME
(SRI) - Alliance Bank, a large Kazakh bank which has been taken over by the state last month, announced a shift in strategy this week to increase its focus on SME and implementation of state stabilization programs.
