Kazakhstan Daily News Roundup - October 19, 2009

HEADLINES:

Chinese investments in Kazakh energy worry Europeans
(bne) - China Investment Corporation’s acquisition of a stake in KazMunaiGas Exploration Production and the opening of a pipeline linking oil-rich western Kazakhstan to the Chinese border meant it was inevitable that China’s grasp of Kazakh natural resources would be the hot topic at this year’s Kazakhstan International Oil and Gas Exhibition (Kioge) conference.

Kazakhstan’s economy to decline 1.3 percent in 2009 - EBRD
(SRI) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has revised its economic growth forecast for Kazakhstan in 2009-2010, the bank said in a statement.

ENERGY:

Kazakhstan eager to supply oil for BTC pipeline - Nazarbayev (Today’s Zaman)

U.S. firmly behind Southern Corridor - Poneman (New Europe)

Caspian Energy to hold special meeting of shareholders (PR Canada)

MINERAL RESOURCES:

ENRC seeks to buy founders’ African assets
(Independent) - Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), the Ftse 100 metals and mining giant, is planning to buy out its founders’ African assets in a potentially controversial deal.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

Kazakh banks may be asked to make provisions for future slump (Bloomberg)

National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates October 17 - 19, 2009 (Kazinform)

POLITICS:

CSTO CORF forces showed efficiency, must be held once in two years - Nazarbayev (Interfax)

Ex-minister sentenced to four years in prison (Interfax)

Kazakhstan, Russia, confirm loyalty to “strategic partnership” (Interfax)

Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus to start customs union on Jan 1 (RIA Novosti)

Turkey and Kazakhstan to boost bilateral cooperation (Today’s Zaman)

Khalifa on visit to Kazakhstan (TheNational)

SOCIETY:

Kazakhstan reporters, rights activists want Nazarbayev to support media freedom (Interfax)

REGIONAL:

Central Asia united on economic crisis response

(AFP)

‘Russian NATO’ kicks off military manoeuvres (AFP)

Russia drops joint WTO bid - official (AFP)

Turkmenistan’s eastern promises (New Europe)

Kazakhstan Society Roundup - October 19, 2009

Kazakhstan reporters, rights activists want Nazarbayev to support media freedom (Interfax)

Kazakhstan Politics Roundup - October 19, 2009

Kazakhstan’s economy to decline 1.3 percent in 2009 - EBRD (SRI)

Kazakh banks may be asked to make provisions for future slump (Bloomberg)

National Bank of Kazakhstan: Exchange rates October 17 - 19, 2009 (Kazinform)

Kazakhstan Mineral Resources Roundup - October 19, 2009

ENRC seeks to buy founders’ African assets (Independent)

Kazakhstan Energy Roundup - October 19, 2009

Chinese investments in Kazakh energy worry Europeans (bne)

Kazakhstan eager to supply oil for BTC pipeline - Nazarbayev (Today’s Zaman)

U.S. firmly behind Southern Corridor - Poneman (New Europe)

Caspian Energy to hold special meeting of shareholders (PR Canada)

Kazakhstan Politics Roundup - October 19, 2009

CSTO CORF forces showed efficiency, must be held once in two years - Nazarbayev (Interfax)

Ex-minister sentenced to four years in prison (Interfax)

Kazakhstan, Russia, confirm loyalty to “strategic partnership” (Interfax)

Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus to start customs union on Jan 1 (RIA Novosti)

Turkey and Kazakhstan to boost bilateral cooperation (Today’s Zaman)

Khalifa on visit to Kazakhstan (TheNational)

Kazakhstan Regional News Roundup - October 19, 2009

Central Asia united on economic crisis response(AFP)

‘Russian NATO’ kicks off military manoeuvres (AFP)

Russia drops joint WTO bid - official (AFP)

Turkmenistan’s eastern promises (New Europe)

Central Asia united on economic crisis response

(AFP) - Leaders from Russia, China and four Central Asian nations vowed on Wednesday to work together to coordinate their responses to the global economic crisis.
(more…)

‘Russian NATO’ kicks off military manoeuvres

(AFP) - The presidents of five former Soviet states met Friday to view military maneuvers by a Russia-led security grouping touted as a counterweight to NATO but plagued by internal tensions.
(more…)

Russia drops joint WTO bid - official

(AFP) - Moscow and its partners will join the WTO separately, Russia’s chief trade negotiator said Friday, dropping an earlier pledge to enter the global body with two ex-Soviet neighbors.
(more…)