Publications

Cyberattacks remain an increasing threat across all critical infrastructure sectors in Kazakhstan. Threat to the various industries has increased dramatically along with the sophistication of cyberattacks.

If an investor wishes to commence oil and gas activity (exploration/production) in the Republic of Kazakhstan (“RoK”), it shall obtain a relevant subsoil use right (“SUR”), which is formalized by execution of a relevant subsoil use contract (“SUC”).

Three local level public–private-partnership (PPP) projects are on the brink of collapse due to the relevant local state body of the Mangistau region failing to meet its obligations under the PPP agreements and to
pay on time to the respective private partners for constructed and operating kindergartens. It was alleged that the money needed for these PPP projects did not appear on the books of the local government in time, even though the respective PPP agreements, evidently, were duly executed and registered.

The capacity market was finally launched on the 1st January 2019 in Kazakhstan to encourage investment for the renovation of old, as well as construction of new, power infrastructure facilities.

On the 1st January 2019, Kazakhstan promulgated certain changes in legislation that gave its central bank, the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK), enhanced capacity and introduced risk based supervision of the financial sector.

The Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) approved on 29 January 2019 the Recommendations on the Guidelines for the Selection of Trade Names of Medicinal Products and the Guidelines for Manufacturing of Finished Dosage Forms of Medicinal Products in order to eliminate differences in the requirements for the manufacturing of finished dosage forms of medicines in Eurasian Member States Economic Union (EAEU).

On 2 July 2018, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 166-VI "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Insurance and Insurance Activities, Securities Market" was adopted. Among other things, this legislative act has amended the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 13 May 2003 No. 415-II "On Joint Stock Companies" (the "JSC Law").

Though Kazakhstan adopted relevant legislation for domestic (such as the governed Kazakh law) Islamic banking transactions more than seven years ago and has a Muslim population of over 11 million, Islamic finance is still in the early stages of its development and Islamic products are rarely used. According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK), as of 2018, the share of Islamic banking assets account for only 0.16% of total banking sector assets in Kazakhstan.

Let us introduce you this 'Doing Business in Kazakhstan' publication prepared by GRATA International law firm. The information in the brochure is based on theoretical and practical information available as of June 2018. The content of this brochure is intended for foreign businessmen and companies seeking to do business in Kazakhstan.

The following is an outline of some of the major legal developments in Kazakhstan last year, and a selection of key changes that we anticipate for business, including Islamic finance, for this year.