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For subscribers » Other » Kazakh president’s former son-in-law gets another 20-year prison term | 27 March 2008

The Kazakh president’s former son-in-law Rakhat Aliyev and the former head of the National Security Committee, Alnur Musayev, were sentenced on 26 March by the military tribunal of the Akmola garrison in absentia to 20 years’ imprisonment each for an alleged coup d’etat attempt. The closed trial heard that the coup was allegedly expected to take place in May or June 2007, Shokan Shaykenov, a National Security Committee investigator, told a news conference in Astana on 27 March. He added that about 80 to 90 fighters had been trained abroad and funded by Mr Aliyev and Mr Musayev for this purpose.

For subscribers » Country risk reports » Kyrgyzstan pondering on capital move to south | 27 March 2008

Kyrgyz MPs have proposed the movement of the country’s capital from the northern city of Bishkek to the southern town of Osh on the border with Uzbekistan.

For subscribers » Oil and gas » Kazakhstan intends to increase its stakes in Kashagan oil project, Kazakhmys copper giant. | 26 March 2008

The US ExxonMobil company which now has an 18.52% stake in Kazakhstan’s most promising oil field may agree to transfer a greater stake to the state-run KazMunayGaz oil and gas company than it was agreed between the Agip KCO consortium, which is developing the Kashagan field, and KazMunayGaz at the end of January 2008. In return, ExxonMobil may be granted a licence to develop the Kalamkas field single-handedly; the Kalamkas field is part of the greater Kashagan project.

Back in January, KazMunayGaz agreed to pay $1.78bn for additional shares which have increased the company’s stake in the Kashagan project to 16.81%. The Kazakh government pins its hopes of increasing oil production in the country on the Kashagan project, so it is natural that it wants to get a bigger share in it. However, it may pay a too high price for it.

The state may also increase its stake in Kazakhmys. The news that its stake might be raised to 15% has pushed the price of Kazakhmys shares up by 4.6% to Ј16.17 GBP per share on the London Stock Exchange. Increasing stakes in mining companies goes in line with the government’s policy to nationalize this sector.

For subscribers » Foreign affairs » Rumours about the Kyrgyz president's health spreading in Bishkek | 25 March 2008

Rumours about the state of health of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev have been circulating in Kyrgyzstan since the beginning of March. The country’s government has released only limited information about this.

For subscribers » Investment bulletins » Investment Bulletin | 25 March 2008

Macroeconomic, financial, investment, energy and political news from Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries

For subscribers » Foreign affairs » Kazakhstan to build reservoir in south to gain water independence | 18 March 2008

The Kazakh government is to build a new reservoir in its water-starved south in a move the government says will boost national security. The Koksaray reservoir will be constructed in South Kazakhstan Region, a government meeting decided on Tuesday.

For subscribers » Oil and gas » Kazakhstan wants 70% hike for gas export prices for Russia’s Gazprom in 2009 | 18 March 2008

Encouraged by the success of the gas price talks between Russia’s gas monopoly Gazprom and its counterparts from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company KazMunayGaz intends to increase the price of its gas for Gazprom by up to 70% in 2009, the company said in a press release posted on its website on 17 March.

For subscribers » Investment bulletins » Investment Bulletin | 17 March 2008

Macroeconomic, financial, investment and energy news from Kazakhstan

For subscribers » Investment bulletins » Investment Bulletin | 11 March 2008

Macroeconomic, financial, investment and energy news from Kazakhstan

For subscribers » Banking » Kazakhstan Banking Review December 2007 | 22 February 2008

Analytical report on the current state of Kazakhstan's banking sector. This report contains information on monthly financial indicators of Kazakhstan's 34 commercial banks, changes in government policy and the latest developments concerning Kazakh banks.

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