On May 23, 2018, Alinga Consulting held a free seminar. The seminar reviewed the latest changes in the tax and currency legislation, as well as the implementation of the program to develop federal standards for 2017 - 2019 and how to prepare for the transition to new standards. Alinga's legal team talked about future changes in the rules of using corporate transport. A large number of listeners expressed a desire to participate in future seminars. The seminar organizers received considerable positive feedback. The presentations may be reviewed on Alinga’s website. http://www.acg.ru/alinga_seminar_5-2018

ASTANA – Kazakhstan has developed SmartTran, a unique digital technology to transport oil through main pipelines. Inventors TransOil technical policy department director Berik Sayakhov and Satbayev University Modeling in Power Engineering research and production laboratory head Uzak Zhappasbayev described the programme in an interview with kapital.kz.

“Solving energy efficiency problems is one of the most significant tasks for the oil and gas sector in Kazakhstan, in particular, pipeline transport,” they told the news outlet.

SmartTran automates energy saving modes for oil transportation planning and management systems, improves workers’ productivity and ensures the pipelines’ competitiveness. The programme processes real-time data received from dispatch control to operate as well as manage transportation technology in the main pipelines. It also dramatically increases pipeline operation and efficient reliability.

The research was completed in several stages. After a database was created and modelled, the system was optimised and then integrated with SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) and ASCEM (Automated System for Commercial Electricity Metering). The technology included digitising the entire transportation system production procedure. The five-year process, from 2012-2017, was completed with a 128 million tenge (US$388,224) investment.

SmartTran has been incorporated into the KazTransOil (KTO) oil mix control system. It determines the pumping modes’ energy saving, economic and technological efficiency during transportation along the company’s pipeline routes.

The programme also uses real-time operational data (process equipment operation modes, oil pumping volumes and parameters, etc.) from SCADA. In turn, it determines the optimum operating conditions for pumping units and heating furnaces for energy-saving transportation through the KTO pipeline routes. Incorporating SmartTran at the company’s facilities is a complex and lengthy process requiring an entire production system performance assessment.

“In addition to KazTransOil, the consumers of the technology can be the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, the Kazakhstan-China Oil Pipeline, the North-Western Pipeline Company Munai Tas, Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. and Turgai Petroleum. In general, this technology, with some modifications, can be used for pumping oil mixtures in oil companies’ pipelines in the field,” said the inventors.

Unlike control systems used in Canada, Russia, the U.S. and other countries, the technology transports high-viscosity, high-hardening (paraffin) oil mixtures in areas with several oil pumping stations and heating points while ensuring the safety of the main pipeline.

The distinctive feature is the way the programme can simulate and optimise hot pumping, as more than 15 million tonnes of Kazakh oil mixtures are transported in this way. Oil mixtures are hardened in heating furnaces and the energy efficiency is determined by the furnace and pumping units’ optimum condition, taking into account primary pipeline thermal regime safety conditions.

“For instance, hot pumping modelling and optimisation at the main Uzen-Atyrau-Samara pipeline sections will lead to significant energy savings in the pump units and heating furnace,” said the developers.

According to the laws of hydraulics, the specific electricity consumption utilised to pump oil proportionally increases oil turnover to 1.75. The figure indicates the need to reduce oil transportation costs by determining the energy saving modes of the equipment (pumping units, heating furnace, etc.). SmartTran can simulate and optimise the pumping volume, technological equipment operation and oil and oil mixtures transportation via the KTO pipelines.

“The pipeline transportation energy saving is largely related to energy costs for oil transportation and heating. Almost 70 percent of the consumed electricity is expended for the pumping units’ operation and in the case of oil transportation through the hot oil pipeline, costs are increased by 85 percent due to the oil heating furnace operation,” said the developers.

In an environment where oil prices are unstable and oil production is increasing, finding a decent way to face energy challenges has become essential. SmartTrans will lead to an increase in labour productivity, progress in technological modes to transport oil and petroleum mixtures and efficiently plan and manage KTO’s main oil pipelines.

“In 2018, all oil pipeline routes of the KazTransOil’s main pipelines will be optimised for pumping oil and oil mixtures in energy-saving modes. Based on their results, we can talk about the specific economic effect from the introduction of technology at the company’s facilities,” said Sayakhov and Zhappasbayev.

On May 1, Ambassador Konstantin Zhigalov hosted a farewell reception at Fairmont Chateau Laurier Ottawa upon completion of his tenure as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Canada, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. He thanked the Canadian Government, Parliament, private sector and all friends of the Embassy, as well as the diplomatic corps, for excellent cooperation over the last 6 years that he had spent in Ottawa.

Since his appointment in January 2012, Ambassador Zhigalov has visited all Canadian provinces and territories multiple times and has been closely involved in the development of the Kazakhstan Canada Parliamentary Cooperation Group and the Kazakhstan Canada Business Council.

Regular exchange of parliamentary and business delegations contributed to expanding channels of communication between the two countries and led to signing a number of bilateral agreements, including the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. On the international stage, Canada has supported Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2015 and, as one of the top-10 investors in Kazakhstan’s economy, continues dialogue on a number of issues, including Kazakhstan’s efforts within the OECD.

Senate Liberal Leader Joseph A. Day, in his capacity of the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Cooperation Group, thanked Ambassador Zhigalov for his strong commitment to strengthening Canada-Kazakhstan partnership and saluted significant milestones achieved during his tenure.

On April 27, President Nursultan Nazarbayev has appointed Ambassador Zhigalov as Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Spain. On the same day, former Deputy Foreign Minister Akylbek Kamaldinov has been appointed to be Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Canada.

Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover increased by 25 percent to $69.5 billion last year. The country’s exports increased by 30 percent and reached $48.3 billion; imports grew by 15.5 percent to $29.3 billion, Minister for Investment and Development of Kazakhstan Zhenis Kassymbek reported at a May 2 government meeting. 

Over four years from 2013 to 2017, the share of manufacturing exports in Kazakhstan’s total exports increased from 23 to 32 percent.

“This year we are observing a positive export trend. According to relevant data, in the first two months of this year, exports exceeded $8.8 billion, which is 27.4 percent – $1.9 billion – higher than in the same period last year,” Kassymbek said.

In the meantime, the country provides financial and service support to boost export volumes.

“In 2010-2017, exporters were provided with financial and insurance support worth more than 112.6 billion tenge (US$340.6 million). The government also ensured export trade financing worth 14.7 billion tenge (US$44.4 million) and pre-export financing at 5 billion tenge (US$15.1 million). More than 40 exporters receive financial support every year. As part of the service support for exporters in 2010 to 2017, 1,800 manufacturers were able to conclude export contracts for more than $2 billion, including $197 million in 2017. Expenses were compensated to 204 exporters for 1.6 billion tenge (US$4.84 million). Every year more than 400 exporters receive service support in the country,” the minister said.

To increase the share of non-primary sector exports, the government is working with the ministries, the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Kazakh Invest, the Kazakh Export insurance company and local executive agencies to modernise existing enterprises and introduce new export-oriented industries. The market shows a steady trend since 2015 with the introduction of seven-eight new products to foreign markets.

“In 2017, eight new products were brought to foreign markets: Niva and Peugeot cars, solar panels, gas boilers, cartridges, rails, POS-terminals and dry mare’s milk,” Kassymbek pointed out.

Digital Railway strategy to increase speed, convenience, savings Astana Times, 4 May 2018

Kazakh national rail company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) President Kanat Alpysbayev reported on the implementation of the country’s Digital Railways strategy during the May 2 government meeting on export, consumer and transport digitisation policies.

Transport makes up 8 percent of Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product and has been increasing by at least 4.5 percent each year. Kazakhstan’s population of 18 million owns 5.3 million automobiles, suggesting 29 out of 100 people in the country possess a vehicle, compared to 14 out of 100 in the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States and 48 out of 100 in Europe. In 2017, 2.5 million traffic violations were registered in Kazakhstan.

The 2018-2022 Digital Railway strategy sketches the implementation of 21 projects, two of which are being implemented under the Digital Kazakhstan state programme. The Digital Railway project aims to reduce traffic violations up to 85 percent, increase the average speed of travel around the city, improve passenger transport safety and reduce the environmental footprint of KTZ’s transport options.

An eight-component process has been laid out to meet these goals. The first component is the further application of modern information systems in KTZ’s critical operating segments – cargo transportation, passenger transportation, railway infrastructure and transport logistics.

Other components involve controlling cost optimisation, launching digital road diagnostics and implementing Traffic Management and Digital Services Centres at 17 railway stations. Internet ticketing options and another 17,000 ticket terminals are to be available in the near future, and waiting list and train rating programmes have already been launched. E-ticket sales currently make up 64 percent of all sales; by 2020, it is hoped that they will make 90 percent.

“It is planned to realise a 24/7 system of centralised management of customer appeals for prompt feedback to customers through timely response to complaints and suggestions,” added Alpysbayev.

Likewise, a single electronic exchange platform is being created for multimodal transport, particularly transit container movements with the account of more than 1,700 customers-participants. Automated processes are underway at Khorgos-Eastern Gate on the border with China that can potentially reduce traffic checkpoint time from 10 minutes to 30 seconds, and diminish registration costs from $2,395 to $239.50 per every registration, which in turn cuts the risk of corruption offences.

Information systems are also being introduced in freight rail transport to increase the efficiency of the organisation of transportation processes, ensure the timely delivery and safety of goods and simplify procedures for crossing the borders of other railway administrations.

“The company completed a service for the online tracking of goods, including a system of electronic lock devices that ensures the safety of cargo and a prompt response to any unauthorised attempt to access cargo. An automated system of contractual and commercial work was presented during the report. An e-freight paperless workflow system for air cargo is going to be implemented this year, and the project costs are estimated to be around 5.4 billion tenge (US$16.2 million). “We have implemented 100 percent paperless transportation of goods, as well as integration with the Astana-1 information system,” said Alpysbayev.

According to preliminary estimates, the total economic effect from the implementation of the strategy will be 110 billion tenge (US $331.3 million) by 2025.

The overall long-term effects of the programme are hoped to be a 20 percent reduction in travel time, availability of information up to 70 percent, an 8 to 10 percent reduction in traffic accidents and a drop of harmful emissions by 24 percent. The positive economic impact of all of this is expected to be 380 billion tenge (US $1.14 billion).

“Successful implementation of Digital Kazakhstan projects will ensure the advancement of the country’s logistics environment,” Alpysbayev emphasised.

Business forum France-Kazakhstan held in Astana Timesca.com, 27.04.2018

A round table of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France–Kazakhstan entitled "France– Kazakhstan: 10 years of strategic partnership" was held on April 26 in Astana with the participation of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.

Representatives of business structures of the two countries took part in the forum.

In his welcoming address to the forum participants, PM Sagintayev noted that France is one of the main trade partners of Kazakhstan in Europe, over a ten-year period of strategic partnership, cooperation has been established in many areas of development, and the Kazakh government supports French companies operating in Kazakhstan.

Speaking about institutional reforms in Kazakhstan, Sagintayev emphasized that the goal of a consistent course for the Third Modernization of the country, initiated by the Kazakh President, is the creation of a new model of economic growth. The state policy is based on technological modernization, strengthening of the quality of human capital and the development of innovations. A large-scale national project on digitalization has been launched.

The Prime Minister also noted that Kazakhstan is continuing its steady course to increase global competitiveness, improving the investment climate and opening the country and market to friends and partners, and expressed confidence that the French business community will be able to take an active part in this rich and diverse economic agenda.

During the round table, issues of technological modernization, digitization, development of innovations, formation of a new economy in Kazakhstan, and participation of French business in these processes were discussed. The entrepreneurs of the two countries considered promising areas for the implementation of joint projects in the fields of agriculture, mining and manufacturing, civil aviation, transport and trade, tourism, standardization, and education.

According to official statistics, trade between Kazakhstan and France for 2017 amounted to $3.3 billion, which is 38.5% higher than in 2016 ($2.5 billion). Exports from Kazakhstan last year amounted to $2.8 billion, which is 59.7% higher than in 2016 ($1.8 billion).

The gross inflow of direct foreign investments to Kazakhstan for 2005-2017 was $264.4 billion, of which $14.1 billion was from France. As of 1 April 2018, 220 legal entities, branches and representative offices with French participation were registered in Kazakhstan. Citizens of France can freely enter Kazakhstan without a visa, and the capitals of the two countries are connected by direct flights.

https://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/19668-business-forum-france-kazakhstan-held-in-astana

Kazakh, Chinese ministries of finance to sign co-op memorandum en.trend.az, 1.05.2018

Minister of Finance of Kazakhstan Bakhyt Sultanov and China's Finance Minister Liu Kun agreed to conclude an inter-agency memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the near future, during the meeting, organized within the framework of Sultanov's working visit to Beijing, the press service of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan said in a message.

Kazakh minister stressed that the two countries expand investment cooperation, attract loans for the integration of the Chinese "One Belt One Road Initiative" and Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol program.

The parties also discussed the current economic situation of the two countries, the expansion of cooperation, as well as the activities of financial markets and their services, including the Astana International Finance Centre. During the visit to Beijing, Sultanov also held talks with the Chairman of the Securities Regulatory Commission of China, the Chief Customs Officer of China and Vice President of Exim Bank of China.

https://en.trend.az/business/economy/2896311.html

Alinga Consulting invites you to participate in a free seminar on May 23, 2018. The seminar will include the latest changes in the tax and currency legislation. Alinga Consulting experts will inform you about the progress on the program of the development of federal standards for 2017 - 2019 and will tell how to prepare for the transition to new standards. Lawyers of our company will discuss about future changes in the rules of using corporate transport. A complete description is available on Alinga’s website at http://www.acg.ru/seminar_may_2018_eng. Registration is open, but seating is limited.

ASTANA – The former President of France and the former Secretary-General of the United Nations and other international thought leaders will gather in Astana May 17-19 for the 11th Astana Economic Forum (AEF). The name of the forum is being changed this year to the Global Challenges Summit (GCS) 2018, says a press release by AEF organisers.

Former Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee’s Ethics Commission Hans Timmer, Chief Economist for the Europe and Central Asian region of the World Bank and former French President Francois Hollande are among those who will participate. Other participants will include leaders in the worlds of business, science and art who will look at current global risks and opportunities.

The technological revolution of recent years has created world-changing megatrends affecting countries, businesses and the world’s population. Economic growth and resource resilience, digitisation and urbanisation, longevity and financial revolution, global security and cultural shift will be among the summit’s topics.

The summit will include more than 200 speakers from more than 27 countries to debate the world’s most important challenges and discuss solutions to create a safer and more sustainable planet. Participants will also include Michio Kaku, physicist, co-founder of the string field theory and populariser of science, Jim O’Neill, former Goldman Sachs chief economist known for coining the BRIC acronym, Parag Khanna, international relations expert and visionary strategist of urban development, Mikheil Janelidze, Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Toomas Ilves, Estonia’s former president, Krzysztof Zanussi, film director and winner of the Golden Lion, the highest prize of the Venice Film Festival and others.

Kazakhstan’s senior executive officials and heads of state-owned companies and development agencies will participate in the discussion on the country’s strategies for adapting to the rapidly changing world and its role in developing the Central Asia region.

GCS 2018 follows Astana’sEXPO 2017 with its subject of Future Energy, which provided the backdrop for Kazakhstan to announce its large-scale Third Modernisation aimed at pushing the country into the top 30 of the world’s strongest economies by means of breakthroughs in innovative development, institutional reforms and extensive international integration.

The Astana Economic Forum will be held at the EXPO Congress Centre and Hilton Astana.

We need more livestock, says Kazakh agriculture vice minister Astana Times, 26 April 2018

ASTANA – Kazakhstan needs to increase its livestock population, according to First Vice Minister of Agriculture Arman Yevniyev. The ministry expects the new cattle farming development programme will raise the population from seven million to 15 million heads.

First Vice Minister of Agriculture Arman Yevniyev. Photo credit: Agriculture Ministry press service

He noted cattle farming is a “most optimal element” for agricultural production due to its relatively low cost and high quality, and the 10-year programme seeks to capitalise on these advantages.

Possessing vast grasslands and ranking fifth in the world with more than 180 million hectares of pastures, livestock has been a key component of Kazakh agriculture as well as a source of income and employment for the rural population which accounts for roughly half of the nation’s total population.

The new development programme addresses acute issues in the field, said Yevniyev.

“We see a big potential for livestock development. The country has all the resources to develop the sector,” he added. “The infrastructure is there, but we need to increase the livestock.”

The programme is meant to create a “new class of farmers” by growing the number of farms from 20,000 to 100,000 and raising rural employment from 100,000 to 500,000. With poverty in rural areas (4.9 percent) almost four times higher than in urban areas (1.3 percent), additional employment opportunities are of paramount importance.

Export revenues are forecast to reach $2.4 billion, he added.

Large meat industry companies, including Australian Cedar Group, Chinese Rifa Holding, Citic Group and Inalca Eurasia, will be investing in the programme. Developing cattle farming comes with certain challenges, however, including the search for money and land.

“The first challenge for farmers that are thinking about starting their business is where to get money.

There is no money [easily available]. The programme addresses this issue,” said Yevniyev.

KazAgro, the leading Kazakh leasing company with a more than 70-percent share, will provide 15-year loans to farmers at a subsidised 4-percent interest rate. The funds can be used to purchase stock for further breeding and agriculture machinery and equipment or construct livestock housing.

Approximately 50 billion tenge (US$152.2 million) will be allocated to support farmers this year, said KazAgro Board Chair Nurlybek Malelov.

“There was no such thing before. The second question is where to get land. The programme has an answer to this question as well. Comprehensive work is being done. All the recent changes provide a mechanism to confiscate pastures and give them to those who need this,” he noted.

Pastures will be given without competition.

“We were reviewing the regions and some farms were found to be possessing hundreds or more than a million hectares and it is clear there is no livestock. This will be equal to irrational use of lands and will be subject to confiscation,” said Yevniyev.

More specialists are needed, he added, as “lack of competency and knowledge” is hampering development.

“With the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, we run the Bastau Business (Start Business) programme funded by the national budget, where anyone willing to take up the business can learn how to work with livestock and other specifics,” he added.

Astana Times, 17 April 2018

ASTANA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts growth of Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) at 3.2 percent in 2018 and 3.5 percent in 2019. It is expected that inflation will slow to 6.8 percent this year and will be 6.2 percent in 2019, provided exchange rate stability remains.

The report specifies that following a strong pickup in growth last year, the country is projected to slow to 3.2 percent this year but bounce back to 3.5 percent in 2019 as investment quickens, according to the ADB’s Asian Development Outlook 2018 (ADO) report.

A more stable exchange rate almost halved inflation in Kazakhstan, taking into account that average inflation in the region was 9.2 percent in 2017 and 10.6 percent in 2016. At that, inflation accelerated in the other seven economies of the Central Asian region, particularly in Uzbekistan, notice the report. Inflation in the region is projected to settle at 8.5 percent in 2018 and 7.9 percent in 2019.

Average growth in the region rose to 4.3 percent from 2.7 percent a year earlier as the recession ended in Azerbaijan and expansion accelerated in six other economies, particularly in Kazakhstan.

Growth slowed only in Uzbekistan, where sharp currency devaluation to unify the exchange rate and other economic reforms forfeited some expansion last year for future growth.

Growth in the Central Asian region is forecast to slow to 4.0 percent in 2018, picking up somewhat to 4.2 percent in 2019, according to the report.

GDP growth in Kazakhstan in 2018 was 3.3 percent, according to the previous forecast of the ADB, published in mid-December. (The Kazakh government statistics put the growth last year at 3.8 percent.) The Asian Development Outlook is the main annual publication of the ADB.

The ADB was established in the early 1960s as a financial institution that would be Asian in character and foster economic growth and cooperation in one of the poorest regions in the world. The bank seeks to reduce poverty in the Asia-Pacific region through inclusive economic and environmentally sustainable growth, as well as regional integration. The bank’s headquarters is in Manila, Philippines. The bank’s shareholders are 67 countries, 48 of which are in the Asia-Pacific region.

Astana to host World Mining Congress in June

Astana Times, 21 April 2018

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry for Investment and Development will organise the 25th World Mining Congress, a large-scale event dedicated to mining and metal sector, June 19-21 in Astana. More than 2,000 delegates from 50 countries and 220 companies will participate.

First held in 1958 in Poland, the World Mining Congress takes place every two-three years and unites industry experts and scientists from 49 member countries.

The programme will include multiple sessions related to the mining and metal sector, ranging from exploration and production to enrichment, from risk assessment to the attraction of foreign investment.

Simultaneously, there will be an exhibition of equipment and technologies applied in the mining industry and excursions to Kazakh scientific institutions and industrial enterprises.

“Such a large-scale event of global significance is held for the first time in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Our country was not chosen randomly to host the anniversary congress. Kazakhstan is rich in mineral resources: there are 99 elements of the periodic table [in our soil], 5,000 deposits and 60 elements are used in production,” said Mazhilis Deputy (lower house of Parliament) Albert Rau.

The organisers expect the congress to positively impact industry development in Kazakhstan and anticipate an increase in exploration and extraction projects, expansion of subsoil users’ base.

The event will also help attract financial institutions and investors to the Kazakh mining and mineral industry given the investor protection provided within special legal regime of Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The opportunities and nuances within M&A (mergers and acquisitions) in Kazakhstan’s mining sector will be disclosed.

Within the framework of the congress, there will be Mines & Money international investment conference, a leading event for the attraction of capital and investment into mining projects, where investors and subsoil users negotiate, discuss investment opportunities and the market, and share knowledge. More than 2,000 delegates from 50 countries, 368 presenters, 58 associations, 62 universities and 220 companies are expected to attend the event.

The speakers will include Global Mining & Metals Advisory Leader at EY Paul Mitchell, CEO of the Eurasian Resource Group (ERG) Benedikt Sobotka, Global Head of Primary Markets at London Stock Exchange Robert Barnes.

Prime Ministers of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki and Australia Malcolm Turnbull are expected to attend as well.

Astana to build waste recycling plant using French technology Astana Times, 20 April 2018

ASTANA – Astana plans to build a garbage recycling plant using French technology by September 2019 that will use wet and dry fractions technology to process up to 75 percent of the city’s waste. The technology was presented at the recent EXPO 2017.

“The construction of the plant worth 3.4 billion tenge (US$10.3 million) will begin in August and finish in September 2019. The technology will recycle 180,000 tonnes of organic wastes, or 50 percent of waste from the total amount,” Astana Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev said at a meeting on Astana development with the participation of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The mayor also said that last year the company, which is going to construct the plant, spent more than 1 billion tenge (US$3 million) to purchase 30 garbage trucks and 2,000 containers. Two shops to process plastic and paper has been already launched.

“As of today, 5.2 billion tenge (US$15.8 million) have been allocated for the modernisation of this sector this year. For the first time in the history of the country, the system of separate collection of waste using wet and dry fractions technology will be used in the city. For this reason, 25 garbage trucks and more than 6,000 containers will be installed in all yards until September 2019. The depth of recycling of waste will reach 30 percent. At that, great importance will be paid to explanatory work with the population,” Issekeshev said.

The plant will be part of the unified system of collection, processing and disposal.

ASTANA – The Kazakh Ministry of National Economy projects the nation’s real GDP will reach 3.8 percent this year, which is 0.7 percent higher than the previous projected indicator voiced in August 2017. The ministry also projects per capita GDP will rise to $9,200, Economy Minister Timur Suleimenov told an April 3 government meeting.Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov.

“Nominal GDP in 2017 is estimated at 52.4 trillion tenge (US$163.49 billion). Real growth made 4 percent. Economic growth in January-February of this year also reached 4 percent,” said Suleimenov.

“Taking into account the refined database for 2017, the nominal GDP is expected to reach 57.2 trillion tenge (US$178.46 billion) this year. This is 1.3 trillion tenge (US$4 billion) higher than what was approved in August (last year). Real GDP growth is estimated at 3.8 percent. GDP per capita will grow to $9,200,” he reported.

The projected oil price for 2018 is up from $45 to $55 per barrel, he added.

The Kazakh Ministry of Energy anticipates the nation’s oil production to reach 87 million tonnes. Last year, the oil-rich nation produced a record high 86.2 million tonnes of oil, which allowed it to mark a 4 percent economic growth.

“The revenues in 2018 are estimated at 5.7 trillion tenge (US$17.78 billion), which is 190 billion tenge (US$592.8 million) higher than what the previously approved plan envisioned. The payments into the National Fund will grow 546 billion tenge (US$1.7 billion) and make 2.6 trillion tenge (US$8.11 billion) in total,” said Suleimenov.

Boeing supplies first 737 MAX aircraft to SCAT

Astana Times, 3 April 2018

ASTANA – Boeing delivered the first 737 MAX 8 to SCAT, one of six such aircraft the airline is acquiring under its fleet and route network expansion plan. With the new planes, the airline will be able to achieve double-digit improvement in its fuel efficiency and environmental performance. In addition, SCAT will be the first airline in the Central Asian region to operate the MAX series aircraft.

Photo credit: tengrinews.kz

“Last year, SCAT celebrated its 20th anniversary, and for us the fact that we enter adulthood with the purchase of the latest aircraft models is very important. We are sure that the acquisition of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 will not only raise the level of service in the company, but will also give a new impetus to the development of the aviation industry of Kazakhstan,” said SCAT Airline President Vladimir Denisov, Tengrinews reports.

“Today is a new milestone in our long-term partnership with SCAT airline. We are proud of our contribution to its growth and look forward to the 737 MAX allowing the airline to reach new heights,” said Vice President of Sales in the Middle East, Turkey, Russia, the Central Asia region and Africa Marty Bentrott.

SCAT has been flying Boeing planes for a long time now, and the purchase of the next generation 737 was the result of this long-term cooperation. The company announced its order of six 737 MAX 8 aircraft at the Dubai Air Show in 2017. The agreement, worth $674 million according to Boeing catalogue prices, includes the right to purchase five additional 737 MAX 8s.

Photo credit: tengrinews.kz

During the official visit of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to the US in January 2018, the airline confirmed the purchase order.

The 737 MAX family of planes will help SCAT by reducing passenger costs and increasing flight ranges. The aircraft will allow SCAT open new directions in the narrow-body segment of the market and provide passengers with competitive prices for flights. The 737 MAX airplanes are equipped with the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Wing tips, Boeing Sky Interiors, increased displays in the cockpit, and other improvements that aim at ensuring efficiency, dependability and maximum passenger comfort. The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling aircraft in the history of Boeing, having received more than 4,300 orders from 95 customers worldwide.

As of today, SCAT operates 44 domestic and 25 international routes. With the MAX aircraft, the company is ready to significantly expand its route network and reach new cities and countries.

SCAT Airlines receives IOSA security certificate Astana Times, 6 April 2018

ASTANA – SCAT Airlines has become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the company’s press service announced March 24.

The association represents the interests of the air transport industry in such areas as flight safety, flight operations, tariff policy, maintenance, aviation security and the development of international standards in conjunction with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“Safety is the number one priority for IATA. The main safety management tool is the IATA Operational Safety Audit programme (IOSA). The IOSA was introduced in a number of countries, including Kazakhstan, as a state safety requirement,” reads the report.

To date, two airlines operating in Kazakhstan have confirmed the IOSA, including SCAT Airlines.

“Two years ago, the company passed an audit in which more than 1,000 elements of operational activity were examined according to international standards. Thus, the company was awarded the IOSA security certificate. On this basis, the airline is able to fly to Europe,” IATA representative Jordan Karamalakov said.

He noted the availability of this certificate opens wide prospects for the airline. According to him, another air carrier holding the IOSA certificate in Kazakhstan is Air Astana.

“From now on, the airline has great prospects in the field of cooperation with other carriers on a global scale, for example, in signing agreements on the exchange of passengers. This will raise the reputation of the airline. Now, 92 percent of passengers in Kazakhstan will fly by airline flights that have an IOSA security certificate. This is an achievement of Kazakhstan in the field of civil aviation,” he noted.

Alinga Consulting, a member of PrimeGlobal, are proud to announce that PrimeGlobal has been ranked as one of the top 5 associations globally, following the International Accounting Bulletin 2017 World Survey results published last month. The IAB Survey celebrates excellence in the accounting industry worldwide, and once again confirms PrimeGlobal as one of the top international associations, with member firms’ revenues of USD2.5B.

This year, PrimeGlobal has retained its 4th position and achieved an impressive 18% growth in the member firm fee income. With this year’s growth following a year of 19% growth in 2016, the organization continues to prosper and grow in all of its’ 4 geographical regions. The 907 PrimeGlobal firm offices worldwide cover greater geography than any other accounting association, while the year-on-year growth in member firm fee income shows better growth than that of any other top 3 associations or networks worldwide.

Please click here to view the full press release.

(London, March 8) - International law firm, Gowling WLG, walked away with two awards at this year's Managing Intellectual Property EMEA Awards. 

The firm was successful in two categories, including Russian IP team was named (Contentious) Firm of the Year, whilst its UK IP team won Firm of the Year for IP Transactions & Advisor.

MIP, one of the most notable IP publications worldwide, selects its winners based on a comprehensive firm submission, as well as feedback from peers and independent research.

 “We are thrilled to receive this award tonight”, says David Aylen, Managing Partner of GWLG in Russia. “We feel that our Russian IP strength is unparalleled because we always go that extra mile for our IP clients whom we hold dear and tonight’s award is a true testament to that.” 

In 2016, Gowling WLG Russia/CIS office was awarded Russia IP Firm of the Year by Managing Intellectual Property.

Gowling WLG's global IP team has seen many recent successes, including 16 of its experts being recognised in the WIPR Leaders guide and a firm listing in the World Trademark Review's WTR 1000 annual guide.

The team is also nominated in various categories at this year's MIP Americas Awards, which takes place in New York on 15 March.