invest in kazakhstan. investors guide

INVESTOR,S

GUIDE

invest.gov.kz

2 / INVESTOR’S GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Kazakhstan in brief .........................................................................................62. Reasons to invest in Kazakhstan ................................................................103. Investment climate of Kazakhstan .............................................................163.1. Investment incentives .................................................................................................183.2. Special Economic Zones ............................................................................................203.3. Industrial zones ...........................................................................................................223.4. Dialog platforms ........................................................................................................233.5. Investor protection .......................................................................................................243.6. Agreements on the promotion and mutual protection of investmentsentered into by Kazakhstan ...............................................................................................254. Doing business in Kazakhstan .....................................................................284.1. Arrival in Kazakhstan ...................................................................................................284.2. Employment of foreign nationals in Kazakhstan ..............................................334.3. Starting a business ........................................................................................................364.4. Obtaining licenses and permits .............................................................................384.5. Acquisition of a plot of land ...........................................................................................404.6. Protection of intellectual property ........................................................................434.7. Taxation ...........................................................................................................................454.8. Customs legislation ......................................................................................................504.9. Banking system .............................................................................................................524.10. Electronic services for business ..........................................................................555. Measures of state support for business .....................................................585.1. "Business Road Map 2020" Program ................................................................585.2. "Agribusiness – 2020" Program for development of agro-industrial complex in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2013–2020 ...........................................585.3."Exporter 2020" Program for development and advancement of export .....585.4. "Productivity 2020" Program .......................................................................................595.5. State support of industrial-innovative activities ............................................596. Regions of Kazakhstan ................................................................................626.1. Akmola region ..............................................................................................................626.2. Aktobe region .................................................................................................................626.3. Almaty region ................................................................................................................636.4. Atyrau region ...............................................................................................................636.5. East Kazakhstan region ............................................................................................636.6. Karaganda region .........................................................................................................646.7. Kostanai region ..............................................................................................................646.8. Kyzylorda region ..........................................................................................................656.9. Mangystau region ...........................................................................................................656.10. North Kazakhstan region ..........................................................................................656.11. Pavlodar region ............................................................................................................666.12. South Kazakhstan region ...........................................................................................666.13. West Kazakhstan region ............................................................................................676.14. Zhambyl region ........................................................................................................676.15. Astana city .....................................................................................................................686.16. Almaty city ....................................................................................................................687. Information support of investors ................................................................708. Successful projects .........................................................................................72Contact information of public bodies and organizations ...........................74


Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is my pleasure to welcome you on the pages of the "Investor’s Guide" edition. Here you can find all the necessary information on opportunities for investors in Kazakhstan, on favorable and stable business environment.

Kazakhstan is located in the heart of the Eurasian continent, and is a bridge between Europe and Asia, in the vicinity of rapidly growing markets of China, Russia and India. The favorable geographical position, macroeconomic, social and political stability have established in Kazakhstan one of the most attractive investment climates in the region.

If we review the dynamics over the past 10 years, the bulk of foreign direct investments has been attracted during the implementation of the State Program of the Industrial and Innovative Development for 2010-2014. One of the significant program outcomes is that today every third industrial sector has production with participation of foreign investors. This was made possible owing to a significant improvement of the investment climate in the country.

Thanks to the investment policy pursued, our country has improved its position in the international rankings. For example, in 2014 Kazakhstan was ranked 28th in the world by the net inflow of foreign direct investment. At the same time, Kazakhstan was ranked 16th among the developing countries.

Further improvement of the investment climate in the country has become one of the priority tasks of the second five-year plan of the innovative industrialization, too.

Today Kazakhstan is on the verge of new, large-scale endeavors, and we invite you to take an active participation in this process. I would like to wish you success in the implementation of ideas and opportunities that you may encounter in this guide.

For my part, I can assure you that in Kazakhstan you will be provided with the necessary support in all of your business initiatives.

Yours faithfully,Minister for Investment and Development

Asset Issekeshev


GLOSSARY

AIC – agro-industrial complexCICMA – Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia CIIC– Council on Improvement of Investment Climate CIT – corporate income taxCIS – Commonwealth of Independent StatesCU – Customs Union EAEU – Eurasian Economic UnionFDI – foreign direct investmentFIC – Foreign Investors CouncilGDP – Gross Domestic ProductGNS – Gross National SavingsIZ – industrial zoneJSC – Joint-Stock CompanyLLP – Limited Liability PartnershipMA of the Republic of Kazakhstan– the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of KazakhstanMCI1 – monthly calculation indexMF of the Republic of Kazakhstan– the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of KazakhstanMFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of KazakhstanMHSD of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the Republic of KazakhstanMIA of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of KazakhstanMID of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Ministry for Investments and Development of the Republic of KazakhstanMJ of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of KazakhstanNMH – National Management HoldingOSCE – Organization for Security and Cooperation in EuropePIT – personal income taxPPP – purchasing power parityRLA – regulatory legal actR&D – research and development activitiesSEC – Social-Entrepreneurial CorporationSEZ – Special Economic ZoneSPIID – State Program of Industrial-Innovative DevelopmentSTB – second-tier banksTC– Tax CodeVAT – value added tax WEF – World Economic Forum

1 1 MCI = 2,121 KZT, Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Republican Budget for 2016-2018" № 426-V dated November 30, 2015


KAZAKHSTANIN BRIEF

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1. KAZAKHSTAN IN BRIEF

Geography:2

Location: Central Asia

Territory: 2 724 900 sq.km (1 052 085 sq. miles) 9th largest country in the world

Capital city: Astana

National currency: Tenge2 (KZT)

Language: Kazakh – the state language, Russian – used on a par with the Kazakh language

Time: GMT+6 (Astana, Almaty). Kazakhstan is divided into two time zones: the eastern zone (basic) and the western zone

Population:

17.6 mln people3.Of them:

– Urban population – 10.0 mln people (57%)– Rural population – 7.6 mln people (43%).)

The administrative and territorial structure of the country comprises 14 regions and 2 cities of republican significance. .3

2 According to the rate of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan as of Q3 2015, 1 USD = 216.2 KZT, Euro 1 = 240. KZT

3 According to the Committee on Statistics of the MNE of the Republic of Kazakhstan as of October 1, 2015.

Russia

China

Аstana


Macroeconomic indicators

Indicator Unit

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

2015 2016

Current forecast

GDP constant prices, % 7.3 7.5 5.0 6.0 4.3 1.5 2.4

GNS % GDP 26.3 27.9 25.3 24.3 26.6 27.8 25.2

Current account balance % GDP 0.9 5.4 0.5 0.4 2.1 -3.0 -4.1

Investments % GDP 25.4 22.5 24.8 23.9 24.4 30.8 29.3

Average inflation rate % 7.1 8.3 5.1 5.8 6.7 6.3 8.6

Unemployment rate

% of total labour force 5.8 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.0 5.0 5.0

GDP per capita current prices in USD 9,009 11,278 12,034 13,509 12,400 11,028 9,650

GDP per capita based on PPP

current international

USD 19,074 20,626 21,746 23,081 24,108 24,346 24,843

Source: International Monetary Fund, as of October 15, 2015

Kazakhstan and the world communityAs a leader in Central Asia, the country is making a significant contribution to

stability in the region. Kazakhstan has made great strides in the world arena. This is evidenced by the chairmanship of Kazakhstan in the OSCE and the Summit held in Astana by this organization in December 2010. The country’s significant initiative was the launch and the development of the CICMA project, the Asian counterpart of the OSCE. Kazakhstan’s workmanship as the chairman of the leading Organization of Islamic Cooperation – the OIC– receives positive feedback. The country is also a recognized leader in the global anti-nuclear movement.

Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (hereinafter – the EAEU) – an international association of economic integration, along with Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Within the EAEU, the countries secure the free movement of goods, services, capital and labor force, and pursue a coordinated, coherent and unified policy in the sectors of the economy.

In 2015, Kazakhstan joined the World Trade Organization as the 162nd

member.

The research on DNA of different varieties of apples conducted by British scientists from Oxford revealed that Kazakhstan is the motherland of apples in the world

Source: The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/kazakhstan/7978486/Kazakhstan-the-home-of-the-apple.html


REASONS TO INVEST IN

KAZAKHSTAN

invest.gov.kz


2. REASONS TO INVEST IN KAZAKHSTAN

1. Stable economic and political climate in the region Among 140 countries in the world, by the macroeconomic environment

Kazakhstan is ranked 25th and 30th in the transparency of government policymaking (WEF "The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016").

Kazakhstan’s inflation rate remains stable (IMF: 2012 – 5.1%; 2013 – 5.8%; 2014 – 6.7%), while the unemployment rate decreases annually (IMF: 2010 – 5.8%; 2013 – 5.2%; 2014 – 5.0%).

2. Competitive geographic location and transit potentialKazakhstan is located in the heart of Eurasia, between Europe and China.The country has developed a number of major infrastructure projects, such as:

Khorgos dry port on the Chinese border; the port of Aktau on the Caspian Sea; "Western Europe – Western China" international transit corridor, passing through Kazakhstan and making it possible to reduce cargo transportation time from Lianyungang in China to St. Petersburg in Russia to 10 days.

Over the past five years, new railways with a total length of 1,791km have been constructed.

The country develops port infrastructure through the ports of other countries: the seaport of Batumi in Georgia, providing access to the Black Sea; Kazakh-Chinese logistics terminal in the Pacific port of Lianyungang.

.

3. Rich natural resources Kazakhstan in the world ranking for reserves

Kazakhstan in the world ranking for mining


4. Access to the market of 500 million consumers Kazakhstan’s membership in the EAEU provides investors with access to the

Russian market with more than 140 million people and a common market of the Union with more than 180 million consumers.

Kazakhstan also opens up access to the Central Asian markets of 49 million people, as well as markets of the countries bordering the Caspian Sea with 235 million consumers and the market of Western China with 21 million people.

5. Competitive labor marketKazakhstan is the only country in the region to have a high efficiency of the labor

market, while ranking number 18 among 140 countries of the world (WEF "The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016"). The country is ranked 22nd in labor efficiency and remuneration.

Potential investors allocate pay level in Kazakhstan as one of the most attractive factors (EY’s attractiveness survey, Kazakhstan 2014 "The brand paves the way").

Investors, who have entered into investment contracts for the implementation of priority investment projects, have the right to engage foreign specialists without quotas and permits.

6. Investor protection The country holds one of the top positions in the world for the protection

of investors. Kazakhstan is ranked 25th in the protection of minority investors among 189 countries of the World Bank,s Doing Business 2016 rating and 25th

for the protection of investors among 140 countries, according to the WEF "The Global competitiveness report 2015-2016".

7. State supportIn Kazakhstan investors are granted a package of investment incentives for

the implementation of priority projects in the priority sectors of the economy. This package is unique in the region.


KAZAKHSTAN’S POSITIONS IN INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS Kazakhstan pays special attention to the creation of a favorable business

climate for investors and improvement of business environment.

Ease of Doing Business rating

Source: World Bank, Doing Business 2016

Doing Business categories: country-by-country comparison

Category

Arm

enia

KAZA

KHST

AN

Bela

rus

Russ

ia

Turk

ey

Azer

baija

n

Chin

a

Ease of Doing Business 35 41 44 51 55 63 84

Starting a Business 5 21 12 41 94 7 136

Registering Property 14 19 7 8 52 22 43

Protecting Minority Investors 49 25 57 66 20 36 134

Paying Taxes 41 18 63 47 61 34 132

Enforcing Contracts 28 9 29 5 36 40 7

Source: World Bank, Doing Business 2016


Global Competitiveness Index 2015-2016

Position (among 140 countries) Country Score

1 Switzerland 5.76

2 Singapore 5.68

3 USA 5.61

4 Germany 5.53

… … …

42 KAZAKHSTAN 4.49

45 Russia 4.44

51 Turkey 4.37

80 Tajikistan 4.03

102 Kyrgyzstan 3.83

Source: World Economic Forum, The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016

Competitive advantage Position Competitive advantage Position

Mobile telephone subscription/100 pop. (7) Effect of taxation on incentives

to invest (28)

Government budget balance, % GDP (10) Public trust in politicians (29)

General government debt, % GDP (12) Effect of taxation on incentives

to work (29)

Redundancy costs (20) Hiring and firing practice (29)

Pay and productivity (22) Transparency of government policymaking (30)

Flexibility of wage determination (22) Total tax rate,% of profits (31)

Strength of investor protection (25) Gross national savings,% GDP (31)

Women in labor force, ratio to men (26) Buyer sophistication (31)

Source: World Economic Forum, The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016

Astana has gained its status as the main city of the country on December 10, 1997. It is a large political, administrative, business and cultural centre with population of over 800 thousand people. In July, 1999 Astana was declared a "World City" by UNESCO.

invest.gov.kz

INVESTMENT CLIMATE

OF KAZAKHSTAN


3. INVESTMENT CLIMATE OF KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan has one of the most favorable investment climates in the region.Currently Kazakhstan is one of the leaders in the region in terms of foreign

investments. According to UNCTAD in 2014 Kazakhstan was ranked 28th in the world by net FDI inflows. (Following the results of 2013 Kazakhstan was ranked 31st). In addition, Kazakhstan is ranked 16th among the developing countries.

In order to ensure a direct dialogue of the state with investors, the Foreign Investors Council (hereinafter – the FIC) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Council on Improvement of Investment Climate (hereinafter – the CIIC) under the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Investment Ombudsman operate in Kazakhstan.

Under instructions of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, activities are pursued to further improve the investment climate in accordance with 12 recommendations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). They are reforms in the field of intellectual property, corporate governance, attraction of foreign labor, and visa procedures, and others.

Another important step in support of investors was the introduction of a special regime on the “green corridor” principle as part of the joint work to improve the investment climate in the country between the State Revenue Committee of the MF of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Investment Committee of the MID of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

For investors who implement investment projects under investment contracts concluded with the Investment Committee of the MID of the Republic of Kazakhstan, tax administration will be effected directly at the central level – at the State Revenue Committee of the MF of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This will significantly reduce examination and registration period, and minimize the number of inspections and other risks related to the interpretation and regulatory enforcement.

Entrepreneurial Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan № 375-V dated October 29, 2015 provides the following guarantees of investor rights: a guarantee of legal protection of investors, a guarantee of income use, guarantees of investor rights in case of nationalization and requisition.

In the economic field Kazakhstan is implementing a number of the strategic policy documents:

– The "Nurly Zhol" State Program of Infrastructure Development for 2015-2019. The key objective is to connect Kazakhstan regions by main tracks and modernize the logistical, social and industrial infrastructure.

– The State Program of Industrial-Innovative Development for 2015-2019. The key objective is to stimulate the diversification and competitiveness of the manufacturing industry.

– The concept of transition to the “green economy”. It is expected that by 2050 up to 50% of electricity will be generated by alternative and renewable energy sources; additional GDP growth will be 3% minimum.

– “The Plan of the Nation – 100 specific steps”, providing for far-reaching changes in order to implement the five institutional reforms: formation of a professional state apparatus, enforcement of the rule of law, industrial development and economic growth, identity and unity, and formation of the accountable state.

In addition, the International Financial Center (IFC) will be opened in 2017 in Astana, which will include a new court for financial and investment disputes, applying the English law and using the English language in the proceedings with the participation of foreign arbitrators.


As of today, global technology leaders and transnational corporations included in the Forbes Global-2000 list, already operate in Kazakhstan. They are: General Electric, Toyota Motor, Chevron, Total, Airbus Group, BASF, Hyundai Motor, Sanofi, Rio Tinto, Posco, Danone, KIA Motors, Linde, HeidelbergCement, Alstom, Thales, Keppel Corp, Metro Group, Solvay, Peugeot, AES, Areva, Sumitomo Metal Mining, and others.


3.1. INVESTMENT INCENTIVES

PREFERENCES UNDER INVESTMENT PRIORITY PROJECTS

Tax preferences

Investment subsidy

Reimbursement of up to

of actual costs of construction and installation works and purchase of equipment

Criteria– provided to a newly established legal entity (the state registration of such legal entity

has been completed not earlier than 24 months before filing an application for the investment preferences), implementing a project matching the List of Priority Activities (approved by the Government);

– investments not less than two-million-fold rate of MCI.

PREFERENCES UNDER INVESTMENT PROJECTS (including investment priority projects)

Exemption from customs duties

Customs duties 0% up to 5 years on imported:

The state grants in kind

Criteria– provided to a legal entity of Kazakhstan, implementing a project matching the List of Priority

Activities (approved by the Government).

Corporate Income Tax (10 years)

Land Tax (10 years)

Property Tax (8 years)

0%

30%

– major equipment and spare parts to it; – accessories, raw materials and (or) materials.

Free land, buildings, structures, machinery and equipment, etc.


OTHER INCENTIVES

Stable legislation

Investors Service Centre

Foreign labor

Visa-free entrance

Investment Ombudsman

On any questions relating to the provision of the investment preferences, please contact the Investment Committee of the MID of the Republic of Kazakhstan (http://invest.mid.gov.kz/).

Stability of tax legislation for all taxes except VAT and excise (subject to investment contract)

Provides 363 public services for investors in one office on the basis of the Investment Committee of the MID of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Without permit for the duration of construction + 1 year after commissioning of the investment project

Visa-free entrance for citizens of 19 countries (see Section "Arrival in Kazakhstan")

To protect the rights and legitimateinterests of investors


3.2. SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES

A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a part of the territory of Kazakhstan with precisely defined borders, where the SEZ special legal regime operates for priority activities4 .

Kazakhstan has established 10 Special Economic Zones:

SEZ PREFERENCES

Tax preferences*

Exemption from customs duties

4 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On special economic zones in the Republic of Kazakhstan" № 469-IV dated July 21, 2011.

Land Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Property Tax

Value Added Tax (VAT) (for products consumed in SEZ)

Social Tax (for 5 years)

0%

Exemption from customs duties for goods imported into the SEZ territory and exported** from the SEZ territory to the rest of the customs territory of the Customs Union (CU).


OTHER INCENTIVES

*Conditions for tax incentives:– registration as a SEZ member and as a taxpayer in the SEZ;– absence of structural subdivisions outside the SEZ;– income from the sale of own-produced goods under the SEZ priority activities will be at

least 90% of the total annual income (for the "Part of Innovative Technologies" SEZ – 70%). – for Social tax, payroll expenses will be at least 50% of annual revenue and 90% of

payroll expenses will be expended on Kazakhstan residents – participants of the "Park of Innovative Technologies" SEZ;

** CU commodities produced (processed) by SEZ residents registered before January 1, 2012 with the use of imported components, but recognized as EAEU products, are not subject to customs duties until January 1, 2017.

SEZ MEMBERSWho can be a member of the SEZ:– A legal entity (including foreign one) that plans to implement projects under

priority activities in the SEZ.Who cannot be a member of the SEZ:1) subsoil users;2) organizations producing excisable goods, except for organizations engaged

in the production and assembly of excise goods under sub-paragraph 6) of Article 279 of the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On taxes and other obligatory payments to the budget".

3) organizations applying special tax regimes;4) organizations that apply (have applied) investment tax preferences

provided for before the enactment of the Tax Code of December 10, 2008;5) organizations that implement (have implemented) investment priority

projects and investment strategic projects under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of investments;

6) organizers of gambling activities.

Free plot of land for the entire period of existence of a SEZ

Simplified procedure for employment of foreign labor


3.3. INDUSTRIAL ZONES

9 industrial zones, including 1 private:Today 9 industrial zones (hereinafter – IZ), including 1 private one, operate

in Kazakhstan:– In Almaty region: the "Taldykorgan" IZ, the "Boraldai" IZ, the "Arna" IZ and the "DAMU" private IZ;– In East Kazakhstan region: the "Ondiris" IZ and the IZ at Mashinostroiteli street;– In South-Kazakhstan region: the "Ontustik" IZ, the "Kentau" IZ and the "Turkistan" IZ.

IZ are established as:1) plots of land with infrastructure for the construction of buildings and

facilities for production;2) ready production facilities for lease or sale to an entrepreneur, including

those with the industrial infrastructure of idle, suspended or off-duty production;3) complex IZs, that have both land plots for construction and production

facilities.

Building up the infrastructure to the IZ border and within the IZ territory is performed at the expense of the national budget with co-financing from the local budget according to the budget legislation.

Building up any missing infrastructure is performed for projects for the creation or development of IZ that meet the following criteria:

1) the amount of investment in the project is not less than 46 million USD5;2) the cost of infrastructure construction (reconstruction) is not less than 9

million USD.

5 According to the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan rate of exchange as of Q3 2015, 1 USD = 216.2 KZT


3.4. DIALOG PLATFORMS

1. The Foreign Investors Council under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FIC).

The FIC is an advisory body which is chaired by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The FIC activities are supported by the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan and the FIC working body – the Investment Committee of the MID of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

FIC members The permanent members of Kazakhstan part are: the Prime Minister of the

Republic of Kazakhstan, the Chairman of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Deputy Prime Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration or the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in charge of social and economic issues, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Minister for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Chairman of the Board of “Baiterek NMH”, JSC, the Investment Committee of the MID of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The FIC members from the foreign part include CEOs or their deputies of international financial organizations and foreign companies. Currently, the FIC includes 30 companies: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EU); Asian Development Bank; Arcelor Mittal (with headquarters in the Netherlands); Bank JP Morgan Chase (USA); Baker&McKenzie (USA); BG Group (UK); Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (USA); General Electric (USA); Deutsche Bank (Germany); Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ERG); Eurasian Development Bank; Cameco (Canada); Lukoil (Russia); Metro Cash & Carry (Netherlands); Mitsubishi (Japan); Royal Dutch Shell (United Kingdom); Russian Aluminum (Russia); TeliaSonera (Sweden); Total (France); Philip Morris (Netherlands); Chevron (US); Exxon Mobil (US); ENI (Italy); Ernst&Young (USA); Sberbank of Russia; Anadolu Group (Turkey); Sembol Construction Company (Turkey); Polfarma (Poland); Citigroup (United States); CNPC (China).

The main criterion for admission to the FIC is to make direct investments in Kazakhstan economy in the amount of not less than 500 million USD for investors operating in the field of subsoil use, and not less than 125 million USD for investors operating in other economic sectors.

The FIC working groupsIn order to fulfill tasks set to the FIC, three joint working groups have been

established, dealing with:1) foreign investors’ operations issues;2) investment policy implementation issues;3) issues on foreign investors’ support of innovative and technological development

and diversification of the economy of Kazakhstan.

2. The Council on Improvement of Investment Climate (CIIC)The CIIC operates from March 1, 2012 chaired by the Prime Minister of the

Republic of Kazakhstan, to solve systemic problems related to the improvement of the investment climate.

The main objectives of the CIIC activities are to implement the unified investment policy of Kazakhstan that meets the priorities of economic development, to assist in attracting and efficient use of domestic and foreign investments.


The CIIC meetings are held as and when necessary, but at least twice per year within the period determined by the CIIC Chairman. The CIIC meetings may be attended by representatives of concerned state authorities of Kazakhstan, and representatives of domestic and foreign companies which are not members of the CIIC.

The CIIC members from the Kazakhstan part include a number of mangers, their deputies or executive secretaries of the ministries of finance, national economy, justice, investment and development, foreign affairs, the General Prosecutor›s Office and other organizations. As well, the CIIC members may include other officials of the Republic of Kazakhstan as determined by the CIIC Chairman.

The CIIC members from the foreign part include representatives of international economic and financial organizations, CEOs of foreign companies.

The CIIC’s working body is the MID of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which provides organizational and technical support of the CIIC operations, including preparation of proposals for the agenda of the CIIC meetings, necessary documents and materials.

3.5. INVESTOR PROTECTION

The Entrepreneurial Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan provides various guarantees that minimize risks an investor may incur in carrying out investment activities in Kazakhstan:

A guarantee of legal protection of investors in KazakhstanAn investor is provided with full and unconditional protection of rights and

interests.

A guarantee of income useInvestors shall have the discretion to use income generated from their operations,

after taxes and other obligatory payments to the budget, and to open bank accounts in the national currency and (or) foreign currency in banks in Kazakhstan, in accordance with banking and currency laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Publicity of state authorities’ activities in relation to investorsOfficial reports of the Republic of Kazakhstan state authorities and RLA,

affecting investors’ interests are published in the manner prescribed by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Investors are provided with free access to information on the registration of legal entities, their charters, registration of real estate transactions, and licenses issued, except for any information containing commercial and other secret protected by law.

A guarantee of investor rights in case of nationalization and requisitionForcible seizure of investor’s property (nationalization, requisition) for

government needs is permitted in exceptional cases stipulated by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In case of nationalization, losses incurred by an investor as a result of issue of the Republic of Kazakhstan legislative acts on the nationalization, shall be compensated in full. Requisition of investor property shall be made with payment of the market value of property.


3.6. AGREEMENTS ON THE PROMOTION AND MUTUAL PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS ENTERED INTO BY KAZAKHSTAN

Today Kazakhstan signed 48 bilateral and 1 multilateral 1 (EurAsEC) intergovernmental Agreements on the promotion and mutual protection of investments.

These Agreements are aimed at creating a favorable legal environment for the promotion and protection of Kazakh investments abroad and foreign investments in Kazakhstan. They also contribute to the improvement of the investment climate and further development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation between the countries.

List of countries which entered into Agreements on the promotion and mutual protection of investments with the Republic of Kazakhstan

AMERICA

1 USA

EUROPE

2 Austria 10 Great Britain 18 Poland

3 Belgium-Luxembourg Union 11 Greece 19 Romania

4 Bulgaria 12 Hungary 20 Serbia

5 Czech Republic 13 Italy 21 Slovakia

6 Estonia 14 Latvia 22 Spain

7 Finland 15 Lithuania 23 Sweden

8 France 16 Macedonia 24 Switzerland

9 Germany 17 Netherlands

COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) AND THE FORMER USSR STATES

25 Azerbaijan 28 Kyrgyzstan 31 Uzbekistan

26 Armenia 29 Russia 32 Ukraine

27 Georgia 30 Tajikistan

ASIA, AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES

33 Afghanistan 39 Japan 45 Pakistan

34 China 40 Jordan 46 Qatar

35 Egypt 41 Korea 47 Turkey

36 India 42 Kuwait 48 Vietnam

37 Iran 43 Malaysia

38 Israel 44 Mongolia

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

49 Member states of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC)

The Kazakhstan banknote with the nominal value of five thousand tenge was recognized as "The best banknote of 2012" according to the International Bank Note Society (IBNS). The Kazakhstan banknote with the nominal value of one thousand tenge was recognized as "The best banknote of 2013"

invest.gov.kz

DOING BUSINESS

IN KAZAKHSTAN


4. DOING BUSINESS IN KAZAKHSTAN

4.1. ARRIVAL IN KAZAKHSTAN

Visa is required for foreign nationals and stateless persons to enter the territory of Kazakhstan, unless otherwise has been stipulated by international treaties of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan visa is glued in the passport or other valid identity document which is acknowledged in Kazakhstan and gives the right to enter and stay in Kazakhstan, and leave it or cross the territory of Kazakhstan in transit.

1. Visa types and categories6: (http://www.mfa.gov.kz/index.php/en/consular-issues12/rules-visa-support)

1) Investor – С1 and С2;2) Business – D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7 and D8;3) Tourism – F1;4) Employment/work– M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5;5) others.

List of countries which have entered into agreements with the Republic of Kazakhstan on visa-free regime by passport types

№ Country

Dipl

omat

ic pa

sspo

rt

Serv

ice p

assp

ort

Natio

nal p

assp

ort

Visa

-free

stay

per

iod

1. Russian Federation visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 90 days

2. Republic of Belarus visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 90 days

3. Kyrgyz Republic visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 90 days

4. Republic of Tajikistan * visa-free visa-free visa-free

up to 90 days* for Tajikistan nationals up to 30 days

5. Republic of Armenia visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 90 days

6. Republic of Georgia visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 90 days

7. Republic of Moldova visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 90 days

8. Republic of Uzbekistan visa-free visa-free visa-free

up to 30 days*for Uzbekistan nationals up to 30 days

9. Republic of Azerbaijan* visa-free visa-free visa-free

up to 90 days*for Azerbaijan nationals up to 30 days

10. Ukraine visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 90 days

11 Turkmenistan visa-free visa-freevisa up to 30 days

visa-free up to 5 days

12. Republic of Hungary visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

6 For detailed information, please visit the official Internet site of the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan: www.mfa.gov.kz


№ Country

Dipl

omat

ic pa

sspo

rt

Serv

ice p

assp

ort

Natio

nal p

assp

ort

Visa

-free

stay

per

iod

13. Slovak Republic visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days

14. Romania visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days

15. Republic of Poland visa-free visa visa up to 30 days

16. Republic of Croatia visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days

17. Republic of Estonia visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

18. French Republic visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

19. Kingdom of Spain visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

20. Republic of Serbia visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 30 days

21. Italian Republic visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

22. Republic of Slovenia visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

23. Republic of Bulgaria visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days

24. Federal Republic of Germany visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

25. Kingdom of Denmark visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

26. Republic of Portugal visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

27. Republic of Cyprus visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days

28. Republic of Macedonia visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days

29. Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

30. Greece visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

31. Republic of Finland visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

32. Holy See (Vatican City State) visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

33. Mongolia visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 90 days

34. Republic of Turkey visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 30 days

35. Argentine Republic visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 30 days

36. Republic of India visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

37. Islamic Republic of Iran visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

38. People's Republic of China visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

39. Islamic Republic of Pakistan visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

40. Republic of the Philippines visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 30 days

41. Arab Republic of Egypt visa-free visa visa up to 30 days

42. Republic of Korea visa-free visa-free *visa-freeup to 90 days *up to 30 days (national passport)

43. State of Israel visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days


№ Country

Dipl

omat

ic pa

sspo

rt

Serv

ice p

assp

ort

Natio

nal p

assp

ort

Visa

-free

stay

per

iod

44. Socialist Republic of Vietnam visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

45. United Arab Emirates visa-free visa visa up to 90 days

46. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days

47. Republic of Indonesia visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

48. Republic of Cuba visa-free visa-free visa up to 30 days

49. Federative Republic of Brazil visa-free visa-free visa up to 90 days

50. Republic of Lithuania visa-free visa visa up to 90 days within 6 months

51.Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PRC

visa-free visa-free visa-free up to 14 days

52. United Nations Organization - - - up to 30 days

within 180 days

2. Visa-free regime for foreign nationals of investor countries7

For nationals of 19 countries visa-free regime has been established for up to 15 calendar days from the date of crossing the state border for the period from July 16, 2015 till December 31, 2017

– Commonwealth of Australia – United Arab Emirates

– Hungary – Singapore

– Italian Republic – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

– Principality of Monaco – United States of America

– Kingdom of Belgium – Federal Republic of Germany

– Kingdom of Spain – Republic of Finland

– Kingdom of the Netherlands – French Republic

– Kingdom of Norway – Swiss Confederation

– Kingdom of Sweden – Japan

– Malaysia

7 "Rules for Immigrants entry and stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and their departure from the Republic of Kazakhstan" Government Resolution № 148 dated January 12, 2012.


In case a foreign national from the above list of countries has to stay in Kazakhstan longer than 15 days, he/she in the procedure prescribed by law shall obtain:

– Single entry "business" visa in the Republic of Kazakhstan bodies of internal affairs for up to 30 calendar days;

– Single entry "investor" visa for up to 90 calendar days and multiple-entry visa for up to 3 years in the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan upon availability of a request of an authorized investments agency, confirming the investor status.

3. Visa processing8 Kazakhstan visas are issued based on visa support letters, officially processed

in the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan .

List of documents required for the Kazakhstan visa 1) Visa support /petition /permit of internal affairs’ bodies for foreign nationals entering

Kazakhstan on private matters and for permanent residence, and for foreign nationals and stateless persons permanently residing in Kazakhstan.

2) A travel document granting the right to cross the Republic of Kazakhstan state border.3) Visa application form (1 copy.).4) One black-and-white or color photo, size 3.5x4.5cm.5) Consular fee payment receipt.6) For D1, D2 and D3 visa categories, a petition for a visa from a sending organization shall

be submitted in addition.

Obtaining С1 and С2 Investor visa Visa is issued to CEOs and senior executives of foreign legal entities involved in

investing into Kazakhstan economy, participants of the Almaty Regional Financial Center, and their spouses and minor children.

C1 multiple visa for a period of up to 3 years is issued based on visa support and a request of the Republic of Kazakhstan authorized investments agency.

C2 short-term visa is issued without an invitation within 3 working days by order of the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan or on the basis of requests of heads of Kazakhstan diplomatic missions, upon availability of petitions of foreign legal entities or an authorized investments agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Investor visa validity period:

Single up to 90 days with the right to stay in Kazakhstan up to 30 days

Multiple up to 3 years with the right to stay in Kazakhstan for the entire period of the visa

Obtaining Business visaBusiness visas D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8 are issued to foreign nationals,

travelling to and staying in Kazakhstan for business purposes.

8 "On approval of the Rules for issuance, extension and reduction in validity of visas of the Republic of Kazakhstan" by Joint Order № 08-1-1-1/71 of Acting MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated March 5, 2013 and of the MIA of the Republic of Kazakhstan №175 dated March 7, 2013. Entered in Registry № 8407 in the MJ of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 10, 2013.


D1 visa is issued on the basis of visa support, the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan instruction or petitions of nationals of the states mentioned in the List of States.

D2 visa is issued on the basis of visa support or the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan instruction against documents confirming the need for continued stay of a foreign national in Kazakhstan for more than 30 days during a year (notarized copies of contracts or agreements in Kazakh or Russian languages).

D3 visa is issued on the basis of visa support or the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan instruction against documents confirming the need for multiple entries into Kazakhstan (notarized copies of contracts or agreements in Kazakh or Russian languages).

Business visas are issued for single, double, triple or multiple entry and exit.

Business visa validity period:

Single, double, triple visas up to 90 days

Single visa without invitation * up to 30 days

Multiple up to 3 years (based on the international principle of reciprocity may be issued for longer periods)

*List of countries whose nationals are exempt from a liability to produce a visa support or invitation when applying for a single visa of categories A1, A2, B1, B2, D1 and G1, and single and double visas of category F1: Australia, the Republic of Austria, the United States of America, the Kingdom of Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Bulgaria, the Federal Republic of Brazil, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Hellenic Republic, the Kingdom of Denmark, New Zealand, Japan, the State of Israel, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Irish Republic, the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Spain, the Italian Republic, Canada, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Republic of Hungary, the Federation of Malaysia, the Republic of Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Kingdom of Norway, Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Portugal, Romania, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Singapore, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Slovenia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Republic of Finland, the French Republic, the Republic of Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Estonia.

Visa extensionThe MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall extend the following visa

categories:Investor C1 and C2 visas – based on a letter of the Republic of Kazakhstan

authorized investments agency. Visa shall be extended for up to 1 year;Business D1, D2, D3 visas – to persons, who have travelled to Kazakhstan

at the invitation of the Republic of Kazakhstan governmental bodies, diplomatic missions and consular offices of foreign states, international organizations and their missions accredited in Kazakhstan, based on written applications of these organizations. Visa shall be extended for up to 180 days.

Only inviting party, which has previously processed an invitation for a primary visa, may apply for visa extension.


4.2. EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN NATIONALS IN KAZAKHSTAN9

Employers in order to engage foreign labor and foreign workers in order to get employment shall obtain permits within the established quota10* distributed among Kazakhstan regions, Astana and Almaty cities.

*A quota is a maximum permissible number of foreign labor force allowed for an employer to engage to carry out labor activities in the territory of Kazakhstan.

The following categories of foreign nationals and workers shall be exempted from permits:

1) non-immigrants in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On migration" dated July 22, 2011, except for those persons staying in the territory of Kazakhstan no more than 90 calendar days for the purposes not stipulated by this Law;

2) permanently residing in Kazakhstan;3) business immigrants;4) those on business trips, for business purposes, period of which does not

exceed a total of 120 days per 1 year;5) nationals of the States – Parties to the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty

dated May 29, 2014;6) employed as chief executive officers of branches and representative offices

of foreign legal entities;7) employed as chief executive officers of organizations who have entered

into contracts with the Republic of Kazakhstan Government for the amount of investments over 50 million USD, and chief executive officers of Kazakhstan legal entities which are engaged in priority investment activities and have signed contracts with authorized investments agencies;

8) crew members of sea and river vessels, air, rail and road transport;9) employed as managers and specialists in the Almaty Regional Financial

Center with post-secondary and higher education with a documented evidence;10) specialists in the field of creation of space rocket complex and operation

of ground space infrastructure facilities, employed under the Republic of Kazakhstan international agreements on cooperation in the field of aerospace activities;

10-1) employed in the "Park of Innovative Technologies" SEZ autonomous cluster fund on executive positions and as specialists with higher education;

11) seconded to the autonomous educational organization under agreements on the implementation and realization of educational programs and (or) education services;

12) employed by Kazakhstan legal entities which have signed investment contracts for the implementation of an investment priority project for the period of one year after commissioning, as managers and specialists with higher education, and skilled employees according to the list of professions and headcount defined in investment contracts for the implementation of priority investment projects;

13) others.

Categories of employees, for which the permits’ issuance and renewal conditions and procedure are defined:

1) Category I – chief executive officers and their deputies;2) Category II – heads of departments who meet the qualifications established

in the managers, specialists and workforce qualification reference book; and managers, specialists and workforce standard qualification profiles;

9 Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated May 15, 2007, № 251; Employment Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan № 149 dated January 23, 2001.

10 The quota is established by the Republic of Kazakhstan Government, which in 2015 makes up 0.7% of Kazakhstan economically active population (63 thousand units).


3) Category III – specialists who meet the qualifications established in the managers, specialists and workforce qualification reference book, and managers, specialists and workforce standard qualification profiles;

4) Category IV – skilled workers who meet the qualification requirements set by the Uniform Wage-Rates and Skills Handbook for jobs and occupations of manual workers, rating and skills profiles for jobs and occupations of manual workers.

Permit obtaining procedure11:An authorized body accepts an application from an employer for a permit to

employ foreign labor force, not earlier than 15 days from the date of submission of information on the availability of job vacancies.

The effect of this paragraph shall not apply to employers engaging foreign labor in the territory of a SEZ, and from among ethnic Kazakhs and former compatriots.

1. When issuing or renewing permits for foreign labor, the following requirements shall be covered*:

1) occupational training of Kazakhstan nationals in the field of technical and professional education in demand in the regional labor market, according to the list approved by the authorized agency;

2) re-training of Kazakhstan nationals in the field of technical and professional education in demand in the regional labor market, according to the list approved by the authorized agency;

3) professional development of Kazakhstan nationals;4) creation of additional jobs for Kazakhstan nationals.

*When employing a foreign employee:– under Category I – an employer selects one or more conditions provided for

in paragraphs 3), 4) of the above requirements;– under Category II or III – an employer selects one or more conditions

provided for in paragraphs 2), 3), 4) of the above requirements;– under Category IV – an employer selects one or more conditions provided

for in paragraphs 1), 4) of the above requirements.

2. Through the "E-Licensing" National Database information system12 (http://elicense.kz/LicensingContent/ServicesList?pcode=%D0%A0%D0%9468&scode=%D0%A0%D0%9468&lang=en) or in paper form an employer or an authorized person shall submit to the competent authority at the place of employment of foreign labor an application enclosed by all required documents.

3. An employer, after receiving a notice of issuance of a permit for employment of foreign labor shall provide the competent authority within 20 working days with the documents guaranteeing a departure of foreign labor from Kazakhstan upon termination of such permit.

4. The competent body through the "E-Licensing" National Database information system or in paper form shall issue permits to an employer within 3 working days after receipt of copies of documents.

11 "Quota establishing regulation for foreign labor force in Kazakhstan, Terms and conditions for issuing permits to foreign workers for employment and to employers for engaging foreign labor force," the Republic of Kazakhstan Government Resolution №45 dated January 13, 2012.

12 www.elicense.kz


Validity of permits:1) Up to 3 years – for Category I, with the option to renew for 12 months annually.

Note: For small business entities, permits under Category I shall be issued for 12 months, and can be renewed 2 times maximum.

2) Up to 12 months – for Category II and III, can be renewed to 12 months, not more than 2 times;

3) Up to 12 months – for Category IV and seasonal foreign workers, non-renewable;

4) For the duration of a project – under the quota for priority projects.


4.3. STARTING A BUSINESS

As per the Republic of Kazakhstan legislation, business in Kazakhstan is conducted through legal entities of various forms of incorporation.

Legal entity forms for foreign businesses

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)13 LLP is a partnership established by one or more persons/entities, the charter

capital of which is divided into shares determined by constituent documents. LLP participants are not liable for its obligations and bear the risk of losses associated with the activities of the partnership to the extent of their contributions, except for the cases stipulated by the Republic of Kazakhstan legislative acts.

Joint Stock Company (JSC)14

JSC is a legal entity that issues shares to raise funds for its activities. JSC has property separate from the property of its shareholders, and is not liable for their obligations. JSC is liable for its own obligations to the extent of its property.

JSC shareholders are not liable for JSC’s obligations and bear the risk of losses associated with its activities, to the extent of shares owned by them, except for the cases stipulated by the Republic of Kazakhstan legislative acts.

Branches and representative offices15 A branch is a separate subdivision of a legal entity located outside of the legal entity’s

location and performing all or part of the legal entity’s functions, including the function of representation.

A representative office is a separate subdivision of a legal entity located outside of the legal entity’s location, which represents and protects interests of the legal entity, enters on behalf of the legal entity into transaction and performs other legal actions, except for the cases stipulated by the Republic of Kazakhstan legislative acts.

Branches and representative offices are not legal entities. They are endowed with property of the legal entity and act on the basis of approved by laws.

Registration of legal entities16 (http://egov.kz/wps/portal/Content?contentPath=/egovcontent/bissness/bus_

business/for_businessmen/passport/pass042_mu&lang=en)

1. Required documents for registration:– an application in the prescribed form, signed by the founder or an

authorized person;– a list of constituent and other documents in the Kazakh and Russian

languages in triplicate.

13 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On Limited and Additional Liability Partnerships" №220 dated April 22, 1998.

14 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On Joint Stock Companies" № 415 dated May 13, 2003.15 The Civil Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 27, 1994.16 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On state registration of legal entities and accounting

registration of branches and representative offices" №2198 dated April 17, 1995.


1.1. The document confirming the state registration of a legal entity, branch (representative office):

– certificate of state registration of a legal entity, issued by the registering authority.

1.2. Registration of legal entities with foreign participation is performed in the procedure prescribed for the registration of Kazakhstan legal entities. The following documents shall be submitted in addition:

– a legalized extract from the trade register or other legalized document certifying that the founder – a foreign legal entity – is a legal entity under the laws of a foreign country, with a notarized translation into Kazakh and Russian languages;

– a copy of the passport or other identity document of the founder – foreigner, with a notarized translation into Kazakh and Russian languages;

– a receipt or a document confirming the payment of the state registration fee to the budget.

1.3. To open a branch or a representative office of a foreign legal entity, the following documents shall be submitted:

– a statement of the accounting registration signed by a person authorized by the legal entity, setting up a branch (representative office);

– provision of branch (representative office), approved by the legal entity, in triplicate in the Kazakh and Russian languages;

– power of attorney (except for public and religious associations), issued to the head of branch (representative office);

– resolution of the legal entity on establishing a branch (representative office) with a notarized translation into the state and Russian languages;

– a legalized extract from the trade register, constituent documents or other legalized document of a foreign legal entity, confirming that this entity opening a branch (representative office) in the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a legal entity under the laws of its country with a notarized translation into Kazakh and Russian languages;

– a legalized document confirming the tax registration in the country of incorporation of a foreign legal entity, with the tax registration number (or equivalent) with a notarized translation into Kazakh and Russian languages;

– a receipt or other document confirming the payment of the branch (representative office) accounting registration fee to the budget.

2. Opening a bank account:A company which has obtained the state registration has the right to open a bank

account.Investors have the right to open bank accounts in the banks in the territory of

Kazakhstan in national and (or) foreign currency in accordance with banking and currency laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Branches and representative offices have the right to work through foreign accounts.


4.4. OBTAINING LICENSES AND PERMITS17 (http://egov.kz/wps/portal/Content?contentPath=/egovcontent/bus_lic_akk&lang=en)

Category I permits – licenses, which are introduced for types (subtypes) of activities or actions (operations) with a high level of danger *;

Category II permits – all permits, other than licenses, that are introduced for types (subtypes) of activities or actions (operations) with an average level of danger;

Notifications18 are introduced in relation to activities or actions with low risk of danger, which require providing governmental authorities with information on commencement or termination of such activities or actions.

* Activities or actions (operations) levels of danger are set on the basis of the regulatory impact analysis19.

1. Licensing Areas of licensingLicensing is required for certain types of activities and actions (operations) in the

following areas: 1) broadcasting; 2) culture; 3) education; 4) architecture, urban planning and construction; 5) oil and gas; 6) industry; 7) information and communication; 8) distribution of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors; 9) health care; 10) use of nuclear energy; 11) information security; 12) special technical facilities intended for special investigation activities; 13) trafficking in weapons, military equipment and certain types of weapons, explosives and articles with their application; 14) distribution of toxic substances; 15) manufacture of the Republic of Kazakhstan state symbols; 16) production and distribution of ethyl alcohol and alcoholic beverages and tobacco products; 17) commodity exchanges; 18) exports and imports; 19) financial sphere and activities related to concentration of financial resources; 20) use of cosmic space; 21) gambling; 22) veterinary medicine; 23) agriculture; 24) transport; 25) forensic activities; 26) services to legal entities and individuals.

Issuance of licenses Licenses are issued at the location of a licensor, which is a local executive

body or a territorial authority of the central government body

Required documents** for obtaining a license 1) an application;2) for legal entities operating in the financial sphere and performing activities related

to concentration of financial resources, as well as activities related to trafficking in civilian and service weapons and ammunition, activities related to trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, precursors, security activities, – a copy of the Charter (notarized copy, in case of absence of the original document for verification);

3) a certificate of the legal entity state registration (re-registration) of an applicant – for legal entities;

4) a copy of an identity document – for individuals; 5) a copy of a document confirming the payment of the license fee for the right to

engage in certain activities, except in the case of payment via the payment gateway of the "Electronic Government20 (www.egov.kz)" (see Section "Electronic services for business");

17 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On permits and notifications" № 202-V dated May 16, 2014.18 Order of the Republic of Kazakhstan Minister of the National Economy № 4 dated January

6, 2015.19 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On private entrepreneurship" № 124, Article 5, dated

January 31, 200620 www.egov.kz


6) documents confirming compliance of the applicant with the qualification requirements in cases and in the order established by the Republic of Kazakhstan legislation.

**If the applicant is a foreign legal entity, foreign national or a stateless person, in the absence of the documents referred to in subparagraphs 2), 3), 4) and 5), other documentscontaining similar information about the applicant shall be submitted.

To obtain a supplement to a valid license under the activity or action (operation) for which a license has been issued, the following documents shall be required:

1) an application;2) documents confirming the applicant›s compliance with the qualification requirements;3) other documents to be submitted under the Republic of Kazakhstan laws.

2. Licensing proceduresLicensing requirements and a list of documents required for the issuance of Category II

permits are determined by the RLA.This list shall not contain documents, information of which can be derived from

government information systems, and (or) from the form of information provided by the applicant in the cases provided for by the Republic of Kazakhstan legislation.

Category II permit shall be terminated in the cases and in the manner determined by the RLA.


4.5. ACQUISITION OF A PLOT OF LAND21 (http://egov.kz/wps/portal/Content?contentPath=/egovcontent/bus_real_estate&lang=en)

General conceptsLand in Kazakhstan can be in public and private ownership.Land use rights can be perpetual or temporary, alienable or inalienable, acquired

for consideration or free.

Property right holders: 1) state property owner – the Republic of Kazakhstan;2) private property owner – individuals and non-state legal entities (individuals

shall be understood to mean nationals of Kazakhstan, foreigners and stateless persons, unless otherwise has been provided in the Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan).

Ownership of land occurs by: 1) granting the ownership;2) transfer of ownership;3) transfer of ownership through universal legal succession (inheritance,

reorganization of a legal entity).

Land use right holders:1) public and private;2) national and foreign;3) individuals and legal entities;4) permanent and temporary;5) primary and secondary

Land use right occurs by: 1) granting land use rights;2) transfer of land use rights;3) transfer of land through universal legal succession (inheritance,

reorganization of a legal entity).

Responsible government agencies in charge of regulation and functions in the field of land relations

The central competent authority for land management is the MNE of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Non-state legal entities of Kazakhstan may privately own plots of land allocated for commercial agricultural production, forest planting, construction or built-up with production and non-production, including residential buildings (structures, facilities) and complexes, including lands designated for maintenance of buildings (structures, facilities) in accordance with their purpose.

Agricultural land, owned by the state, may be provided to individuals and legal entities on land use rights and (or) on the right of private property.

Land shall be made available on the right of permanent land use* to state land users as follows:1) legal entities which own buildings (structures, facilities), premises in condominiums on the

right of economic management or operational management;2) legal entities engaged in agricultural and forestry production, as well as for scientific research,

experimental and educational purposes;

21 The Republic of Kazakhstan Land Code № 442 dated June 20, 2003


3) legal entities engaged in land use in specially protected natural areas;4) in other cases stipulated by the Republic of Kazakhstan legislative acts.*The right of permanent land use cannot belong to foreign land users. The right of temporary paid (short term and long term) land use (lease) for plot of land can be

granted to individuals, non-state legal entities, and international organizations.Kazakhstan non-state legal entities may be granted the leasehold for commercial agricultural

production for up to 49 years.

1. Provision of land to foreign nationalsForeign nationals, stateless persons and foreign legal persons shall enjoy the

rights and bear obligations in land relations on an equal basis with nationals and legal entities of Kazakhstan.

Plots of land provided to foreign nationals22

As private property Temporary land use (lease) for up to 25 years As state grants in kind22

Foreign nationals, stateless persons and foreign legal entities (non-state):– for construction;– built-up with production and non-production, including residential buildings and complexes, including lands designated for maintenance of buildings according to their purpose .

Foreign nationals, stateless persons, foreign legal entities, as well as legal entities charter capitals of which comprise over 50% share of foreigners: – agricultural land(plots of land for commercial agricultural production, forest planting, subsidiary farming sector).

Kazakhstan legal entities:– plots of land, provided on the right of temporary gratuitous land use for investment projects, with subsequent gratuitous transfer of ownership or land use.

2. Provision of state-owned land ownership or land useAuthorities in charge of providing plots of land:– Local executive bodies of regions, cities of republican significance, the

capital city, districts, cities of regional significance, akims of cities of regional significance, settlements, villages, rural districts (hereinafter – the local executive bodies).

Land provision procedure**: **With the exception of land offered for auction (tender) and the following cases:

provision of plots of land for construction of facilities and construction of a facility within the boundaries of an inhabited locality, as well as areas not related to construction.

1) acceptance of an application for granting of the relevant right to a plot of land;2) determination of a possibility to use the plot of land requested for the declared

purpose in accordance with the territorial zoning;3) preliminary selection of a plot of land (in case of requesting a plot of land for

construction of facilities, except for construction of facilities within the boundaries of an inhabited location);

4) preparation of the conclusion by the Committee to be established by appropriate local executive bodies on provision of land;

5) development and approval of the land use project;6) decision-making by a local executive body of a region, city of republican significance,

the capital city, district, city of regional significance, Mayor of a town of the district significance, settlement, village, rural district, on provision of a land right;

22 The Republic of Kazakhstan Enterprenual Code №375-V dated October 29, 2015.


7) conclusion of a sales or temporary (short-term, long-term) paid (free) land use contract;8) establishment of land boundaries in-situ;9) preparation and issuance of identification documents for a plot of land, with

the exception of land intended for construction of facilities within the boundaries of an inhabited location.

Identification documents for the plot of land, issued by republican state enterprises that maintain the state land cadastre:

– for private ownership of the land – the Deed of the land private ownership;– for permanent land use – the Deed of the permanent land use;– for temporary paid land use (lease) – the Deed of the temporary paid (long-term,

short-term) land use (lease);– for temporary free use – the Deed of the temporary gratuitous land use.

3. Acquisition of rights to land owned by the state, during tenders (auctions)3.1 Provision of land or the right to lease land owned by the state and not allocated for

land use, shall be carried out during tenders (auctions), except in cases where the land or the right to lease land is granted:

1) for implementation of investment projects;2) to foreign states and international organizations in accordance with international

treaties;3) to the Republic of Kazakhstan state land users;4) to persons who have won tenders (lots) for the construction of facilities, conducted

by state authorities, and when such construction requires the provision of land directly to such persons;

5) to individuals and legal entities for the operation and maintenance of buildings owned by them and (or) belonging to them under other property rights, including for the expansion and renovation of buildings in the adjacent areas in accordance with the approved architectural and urban planning and (or) construction documentation;

6) for the subsoil use purposes on the basis of a contract concluded in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan legislation on subsoil and subsoil use;

7) as state grants in kind on the basis of a contract concluded in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan investment laws;

8) to SEZ members, the autonomous cluster fund and management company in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan laws on SEZ;

8-1) from the water fund lands occupied by territorial waters, for the construction of man-made structures;

9) for the needs of rail, road, sea and inland waterway, air and pipeline transport, for the needs of communications and energy, and for the construction of other facilities of state significance;

10) for the construction of facilities mentioned in the Republic of Kazakhstan State Planning System documents, investment projects that safeguard the public interests and ensure achievement of socially important objectives;

11) to research centers with international participation and to domestic enterprises;12) to concessionaires for implementation of concession projects;13) to entities of industrial and innovative activities for the implementation of industrial

and innovative projects.Agricultural land for which the term of temporary land use expires, shall be offered for

tender (auctions) only in case of a rejection of a temporary land user to conclude a contract on temporary land use for a new term.


3.2 To foreign nationals and stateless persons – winners of tenders (auctions), plots of land for commercial agricultural production, forest planting or subsidiary farming shall be made available for temporary land use under lease for a period of 25 years.

4.6. PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual property 1) Results of intellectual creative activity:– works of science, literature and art;– performances, staging, phonograms and programs of on-air and cable

broadcasting companies;– inventions, utility models, industrial designs;– selection achievements;– integrated circuit topographies;– undisclosed information, including trade secrets (know-how);– other results of intellectual creative activity in the cases stipulated by the

Civil Code or other RLA.2) Means of identification of participants of civil circulation, goods, works and

services:– brand names;– trademarks (service marks);– appellations of origin (indication of origin) of goods;– other means of identification of participants of civil circulation, goods,

works and services in the cases provided by the Code and legislative acts (logo, slogan).

1. Copyright23 Is applied to published and unpublished works that exist in any objective

form:1) written (manuscript, typewritten text, musical score, etc.);2) oral (public recitation, public performance, etc);3) audio or video records (mechanical, digital, magnetic, optical, etc.);4) images (picture, sketch, painting, plan, drawing, film-, television-, video or

photo frame, etc.);5) three-dimensional (sculpture, model, mock-up, structure, etc.);6) other forms.Duration of copyright is throughout the author›s life and 70 years after his/

her death.

The state registration of rights to works protected by copyright1. Registering authority – the Department of Intellectual Property Rights of

the MJ of the Republic of Kazakhstan.2. Basis for the registration and certification – author (s)’ or any right holder’s

statement of the approved application form.

23 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On copyright and related rights" № 6 dated June 10, 1996


2. Obtaining a patent for the protection of industrial property24 (http://egov.kz/wps/portal/Content?contentPath=/egovcontent/bus_um_pri&lang=en)

2.1 Inventions:– Technical solutions in any field related to the product (device, substance,

microorganism strain, plants or animals cell culture), method (process of affecting a material object using material resources), as well as the use of a well-known product or method for a new purpose, or a new product for a certain purpose.

Patent validity period from the date of application is 20 years (with the possibility to extend for up to 5 years).

2.2 Industrial designs:– Art and design solution of an article of industrial or artisan production, determining

the appearance of an article.Patent validity period from the date of application is 15 years (with the possibility

to extend for up to 5 years).

2.3 Selection achievements25 – A new plant variety, a new breed of animal. Patent validity period from the date of application is 25 years (with the

possibility to extend for up to 10 years).

3. Trademarks, Service marks and Appellations of origin26 (http://egov.kz/wps/portal/Content?contentPath=/egovcontent/bus_um_pri&lang=en)

3.1 Visual, verbal, letter, digital, three-dimensional and other designations or combinations thereof to distinguish goods and services of one person from the goods or services of other persons can be registered as trademarks.

3.2 Contemporary or historical, formal or informal, full or abbreviated name of a country, region, settlement, locality or other geographical object, as well as a designation derived from such names, and their combination with specific name of goods can be registered as an appellation of origin.

Registration period of validity:1) A trademark registration shall be valid for 10 years from the application

date and shall be renewable each time for 10 years at the owner’s request.2) Registration of an appellation of origin shall be valid perpetually, subject

to maintaining special properties of a product produced in the territory of the geographical area specified.

The right to use an appellation of origin shall be valid for 10 years from the date of application to the expert organization, and shall be extended each time for 10 years at the owner’s request.

Obtaining a patent, certificate of registration 1) The organization in charge of issuing patents, certificates of registration,

receiving and examining applications is the National Institute of Intellectual Property of the MJ of the Republic of Kazakhstan27 (the NIIP).

24 The Republic of Kazakhstan Patent Law № 427 dated July 16, 1999. The law regulates property and related personal non-property relations arising in connection

with the creation, legal protection and use of inventions, utility models and industrial designs. 25 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On protection of selection achievements" № 422-I dated

July 13, 1999. 26 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On Trademarks, Service Marks and Appellations of Origin" №

456 dated July 26, 1999.27 The National Institute of intellectual property of the MJ of the Republic of Kazakhstan

receives and examines patent applications for industrial property objects, including trademarks, selection achievements, appellations of origin, and maintains public registers and official publishes information on security documents issued by the Republic of Kazakhstan. www.kazpatent.kz


2) Basis for issuance of a patent, certificate of registration – application for a patent, registration in the prescribed form with attachments (documents).

4.7. TAXATION28 (http://www.kgd.gov.kz/en)

1. Corporate Income Tax (CIT)1.1 Payers CIT payers are legal entities – Kazakhstan residents, except for government

agencies, and non-resident legal entities operating in Kazakhstan through a permanent establishment (hereinafter – non-resident legal entities), or receiving income from resources in Kazakhstan.

CIT taxable items:1) taxable income;2) income taxed at source of payment;3) net income of a non-resident legal entity doing business in Kazakhstan

through a permanent establishment.

1.2 Taxable income Taxable income is determined as a difference between the gross annual

income subject to adjustments and deductions provided by the Tax Code (hereinafter – the TC).

1.3 Income taxed at source of paymentIncome taxed at source of payment include: 1) gains and remuneration paid by a Kazakhstan resident legal entity, a non-

resident legal entity to a Kazakhstan resident legal entity, to a non-resident legal entity;

2) income of non-residents from sources in Kazakhstan, determined in accordance with Article 192 of the TC, that not related to a permanent establishment of such non-residents, with the exception of income referred to in subparagraph 9) of paragraph 1 of Article 192 of the TC paid to a branch, representative office or a permanent establishment of a non-resident;

3) dividends specified in the TC.

2. Personal Income Tax (PIT)2.1 PayersPIT payers are individuals with the following items of taxation:1) income taxed at source of payment:– employee income;– income of an individual from a tax agent;– pension payments from a unified accumulative pension fund and voluntary

pension savings funds;– income in the form of dividends, interest, winnings;– scholarships;– income from accumulative insurance agreements.2) income not taxed at source of payment:

28 The Republic of Kazakhstan Code "On taxes and other obligatory payments to the budget (Tax Code)" № 99-IV dated December 10, 2008.


– property income;– individual entrepreneur income; – income of private notaries, private law enforcement officers, lawyers,

professional mediators;– other income.

Objects of taxation are defined as a difference between taxable income, subject to adjustments as provided in Article 156 of the TC and tax deductions in the cases, the procedure and the amount stipulated by the TC.

3. Value Added Tax (VAT)3.1 PayersVAT payers are as follows:1) entities which have performed VAT registration in Kazakhstan:– individual entrepreneurs;– resident legal entities, except for government agencies;– non-residents operating in Kazakhstan through a branch or representative

office;– trust managers generating turnover from the sale of goods, work or services

under trust management agreements with the owner of the trust or beneficiaries in other cases of fiduciary management.

2) entities importing goods into Kazakhstan according to the customs legislation of the CU (currently – EAEU) and (or) customs legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The below items are subject to VAT:1) taxable turnover;2) taxable import.

4. Excise4.1 PayersExcise payers are individuals and legal entities, which:1) produce and import excise goods in the territory of Kazakhstan;2) wholesale and retail gasoline (except for aviation fuel) and diesel fuel in the

territory of Kazakhstan;3) sell seized, unclaimed, transferred by inheritance to the state and transferred

gratis to the state ownership in the territory of Kazakhstan excise goods specified below in the List in subparagraphs 4) – 6), unless on such goods the excise in Kazakhstan has been paid earlier in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan laws;

4) sell the excise goods specified in the List, unless on such goods the excise in Kazakhstan has not been paid earlier in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan laws;

5) perform assembly (packaging) of excise goods under sub-paragraph 5) of the below List.

4.2 The List of excise goods 1) all types of alcohol;2) alcoholic products;


3) tobacco products (and articles with heated tobacco, fluid for use in electronic cigarettes);

4) gasoline (except for aviation fuel) and diesel fuel;5) motor vehicles for transportation of 10 or more people with engine capacity

of more than 3 thousand cm3, except for minivans, buses and trolleybuses;– motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for transportation

of people with engine capacity of more than 3 thousand cm3 (excluding vehicles for disabled people);

– motor vehicles on car chassis with a platform for cargo and a driver’s cab separated from the cargo compartment with a stationary rigid wall, with engine capacity of more than 3 thousand cm3 (excluding vehicles for disabled people);

6) crude oil and gas condensate;7) alcohol-containing medical products, registered as drugs.The authorized body regulating commercial activities shall define an

additional list of imported goods to be subject to excise duties according to the country of origin.

5. Rent Tax5.1 PayersPayers of rent export tax are individuals and legal entities, exporting:1) crude oil and crude oil products, except for:– subsoil users which export crude oil and gas condensate, produced under

contracts;– legal entities, the list of which is established by the oil and gas regulating

body, that have implemented the customs export procedure for crude oil in volumes determined by the oil and gas regulating body, and previously placed under the customs procedure for processing outside the customs territory.

2) coal.

Taxation objectRent export tax object is a volume of crude oil and crude oil products and

coal sold for export.

6. Taxation of subsoil users 6.1 Special charges and taxes of subsoil users include: 1) special payments of subsoil users:– signature bonus;– commercial discovery bonus;– payments to reimburse historical costs;2) tax on extraction of mineral resources;3) excess profits tax.

6.2 Signature bonusSignature bonus is a one-time fixed payment of a subsoil user for the

acquisition of the subsoil use rights in the contract area, and in the expansion of the contract area.

6.3 Commercial discovery bonus Commercial discovery bonus shall be paid by a subsoil user under the contracts

for the extraction of mineral resources and (or) for the combined exploration and production for each commercial discovery of mineral resources in the contract area, including any discovery in the course of further exploration.


6.4 Payment for reimbursement of historical costs Payment for reimbursement of historical costs is a fixed payment of a subsoil

user to reimburse the total costs incurred by the government for geological study of the contract area and exploration before awarding subsoil use contracts.

6.5 Mineral extraction tax Mineral extraction tax shall be paid by a subsoil user separately for each

type of minerals, oil, underground water and therapeutic mud extracted in the territory of Kazakhstan.

6.6 Excess profits tax Excess profits tax is calculated for the tax period for each individual subsoil use

contract under which a subsoil user is a payer of the excess profits tax in accordance with Article 347-1 of the TC.

7. Social Tax7.1 PayersSocial Tax payers are:1) individual entrepreneurs;2) private notaries, private law enforcement officers, lawyers, professional

mediators;3) Kazakhstan resident legal entities;4) non-resident legal entities operating in Kazakhstan through a permanent

establishment;5) non-resident legal entities operating through a branch or representative

office, which do not lead to the formation of a permanent establishment in accordance with an international treaty on avoidance of double taxation.

8. Land Tax8.1 PayersLand Tax payers are individuals and legal entities with objects of taxation:1) fully owned by them;2) owned on the right of a permanent land use;3) owned on the right of a primary gratuitous temporary land use.

Taxation objectThe object of taxation is a plot of land (in common ownership of land – a

land share).

9. Tax on property of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs 9.1 Payers:Property tax payers are:1) legal entities with the object of taxation beneficially owned by them or on

the right of economic management or operational management in the territory of Kazakhstan;

2) individual entrepreneurs, with the object of taxation beneficially owned by them in the territory of Kazakhstan;

3) concessionaires with the right of ownership or use for the object of taxation, which is subject to concession in accordance with a concession agreement;

4) entities and persons referred to in Article 395 of the TC.

10. Taxation of an organization implementing an investment priority projectAn organization that implements an investment priority project and does not

apply the special tax regime, shall:


1) reduce CIT by 100% up to 10 consecutive years, which shall be calculated from 1 January of the year following the year when an investment contract for the implementation of priority investment project has been signed.

2) in calculation of land tax for land plots used for the implementation of an investment priority project, apply coefficient 0 to the corresponding land tax rates up to 10 consecutive years, which shall be calculated from 1 January of the year following the year when an investment contract for the implementation of an investment priority project has been signed.

3) on objects, first entered into service in the territory of Kazakhstan, calculate property tax at the rate of 0% to the tax base up to 8 consecutive years, which shall be calculated from 1 January of the year following the year when the first asset has been accounted for as fixed assets in accordance with international financial reporting standards and requirements of the Republic of Kazakhstan legislation on accounting and financial reporting.

11. VAT exemption for imported raw materials and (or) materials29 Under investment contracts, investors are exempt from VAT on imports of

raw materials and (or) materials subject to simultaneous compliance with the following conditions:

– raw materials and (or) materials are included in the list of raw materials and (or) materials, the import of which is exempt from VAT under investment contracts;

– import of raw materials and (or) materials is formalized with the documents provided for by the customs legislation of the CU and (or) customs legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

– VAT payers have submitted a commitment to the customs authorities on the use of imported raw materials and (or) materials within the limitation period only in the implementation of activities under investment contracts.

VAT exemption for imported raw materials and (or) materials under investment contracts is provided to Kazakhstan legal entities for a period of 5 consecutive years, starting from the 1st day of the month in which fixed assets have been commissioned as provided for in the work program, which is an annex to an investment contract . In case the work program covers commissioning of 2 or more fixed assets, the calculation of the VAT exemption period for imported raw materials and (or) materials shall be from the 1st day of the month in which the first fixed asset has been commissioned as per the work program.

12. Taxation of organizations operating in the SEZ1) exemption from CIT;2) exemption from Land Tax;3) exemption from Property Tax;4) exemption from VAT in case of realization of goods in the SEZ territory

which will be completely consumed in the production process;5) exemption from Social Tax for 5 years, provided that payroll expenses will be

at least 50% of annual revenue and 90% of payroll expenses will be expended on Kazakhstan residents – participants of the "Park of innovative technologies" SEZ;

6) an organization registered in Kazakhstan and located outside of the "Park of innovative technologies" SEZ until January 1, 2018, is considered to be a participant of the "Park of innovative technologies" SEZ, if:

– such organization has no any structural departments;– at least 70% of the total annual income is income receivable (received) from

sales of own goods, works and services from the following activities:

29 Effective from January 1, 2017.


• design, development, introduction and production of databases and hardware, design, development, introduction and production of software (including prototype models);

• services on information storage and processing in electronic form using the server info-communication equipment (data-center services);

• research and development works on the creation and implementation of projects in the field of information technology

Conditions for tax incentives:1) registration as a tax payer in the SEZ territory;2) registration as a SEZ member;3) no structural departments outside the SEZ;4) income from the sales of goods produced under the SEZ priority activities

shall not be less than 90% of the total annual income (for the "Park of innovative technologies" SEZ – 70%).

4.8. CUSTOMS LEGISLATION30

1. Customs duties and taxes 1.1 Customs duties and taxes include:1) import duty;2) export duty;3) VAT levied on goods imported into the territory of Kazakhstan;4) excise duty(s), charged (charged) on goods imported into the customs

territory of the CU;5) customs fees (customs fees for customs declaration of goods, for customs

escort, a fee for a preliminary ruling).

1.2 Types of custom duties 1) ad valorem – defined as a percentage of the customs value of goods;2) specific – established depending on the physical characteristics in kind

(quantity, mass, volume or other characteristics);3) combined – combined types referred to in subparagraphs 1) and 2).

1.3 Customs fees and chargesCustoms fees and charges are compulsory payments levied by customs authorities

for their activities related to the release of goods, customs escort of goods, and other activities specified by the Customs Code.

Types of customs fees:1) customs charges for customs declaration of goods;2) customs charges for customs escort;3) a fee for a preliminary ruling.

1.4 Exemptions from payment of customs duties and taxesIn the Customs Code, exemptions from payment of customs duties and taxes

mean:1) tariff preferences;2) tariff privileges (privileges on payment of customs duties);3) tax relief;4) customs duties relief.

30 The Republic of Kazakhstan Code "On Customs Affairs in the Republic of Kazakhstan" № 296-IV dated June 30, 2010.


2. Calculation of customs duties and taxes Objects of customs duties and taxes are goods conveyed across the customs border

of the CU.Calculation of customs duties and taxes payable shall be in tenge, except for cases

stipulated by the Republic of Kazakhstan international treaties.The amount of customs duties payable, and (or) leviable, is determined by applying

the customs duties calculation base and an appropriate type of customs duties rates, unless otherwise provided by the Customs Code.

The amount of taxes payable, and (or) leviable, is determined in accordance with the Republic of Kazakhstan tax legislation.

3. Rates of customs duties31 Rates of customs duties are set in Euro (EUR)1) customs charges for customs declaration of goods – EUR 60 for the main

list of the declaration;2) EUR 25 for each additional page of the declaration;3) customs charges for customs escort:

EUR 11 for a distance up to 50 km; EUR 283 for a distance from 600 to 800 km;

EUR 16 for a distance from 50 to 100 km; EUR 385 for a distance from 800 to 1000 km;

EUR 26 for a distance from 100 to 200 km; EUR 523 for a distance from 1000 to 1500 km;

-EUR 128 for a distance from 200 to 400 km; EUR 743 for a distance from 1500 to 2000 km;

EUR 178 for a distance from 400 to 600 km; EUR 878 for a distance from 2000 to 2500 km.

4) Preliminary ruling charge is EUR 70.

4. Import/export of currency, securities, promissory notes, checks:1. Import into Kazakhstan or export from Kazakhstan by individuals of cash

in foreign and (or) national currency, promissory notes, checks (including travel checks), securities in documentary form from the territory or in the territory, which is a part of the customs territory of the CU, is carried out without restrictions and customs declaration.

2. In case of one-time import into Kazakhstan from third countries or export from Kazakhstan to third-country cash in foreign and (or) national currency (except for coins made of precious metals), and (or) traveler,s checks for a total amount exceeding the equivalent of 10,000 USD, specified values shall be subject to customs declaration in writing by filing a passenger customs declaration for the whole amount of imported or exported values.

For detailed information, please visit: – www.keden.kz – Customs Control Committee of the MF of the Republic of

Kazakhstan;– www.customs.kz – Customs information portal– www.eaeunion.org –EAEU;– eec.eaeunion.org – Eurasian Economic Commission.

5. Customs privileges for SEZ membersWhen goods are IMPORTED into the SEZ territoryExemption from customs duties.

When goods are EXPORTED from the SEZ territoryCU commodities produced (processed) by SEZ residents registered before

January 1, 2012 with the use of imported components, but recognized as EAEU

31 Rates of customs duties are established by Resolution № 24 of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated January 21, 2011.


products, based on the criteria of sufficient processing, exported from the SEZ to the rest customs territory of the CU, are not subject to customs duties until January 1, 2017.

CU commodities exported from the SEZ outside the customs territory of the CU shall be subject to payment of export customs duties.

If foreign goods do not have the status of CU commodities (simple assembly), exported from the SEZ to the rest customs territory of the CU, they shall be subject to payment of customs duties.

If foreign goods have not been used or processed in the SEZ, when exported (to third countries), such goods shall be exempted from customs "re-export" duties.

If foreign goods have been processed in the SEZ, when exported they shall be subject to export duties according to Resolution of the Republic of Kazakhstan Government № 520 dated June 7, 2010.

Details on customs privileges have been specified in the Agreement on free (special) economic zones in the customs territory of the Customs Union and customs procedure of free customs zones.

4.9. BANKING SYSTEM

Kazakhstan has a two-tier banking system.The National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the central bank of the

state and represents the upper (first) tier of the banking system.All other banks represent the lower (second) tier of the banking system except for

the Development Bank of Republic of Kazakhstan, which has a special legal status

1. The National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NB RK)32 NB RK functionsThe NB RK is a public authority representing the interests of Kazakhstan in

relations with central banks and banks of other countries, international banks and other financial and credit institutions.

2. Second tier banks33 Principal activities of second tier banks include attraction of deposits and

provision of loans to individuals and legal entities.

The list of second tier banks operating in Kazakhstan34

№ Bank Assets, mln. USD34

1. "Kazkommertsbank" JSC 16,845.7

2. "Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan" JSC 13,670.1

3. "Sberbank of Russia" SB JSC 7,658.2

4. "Tsesnabank" JSC 7,441.3

5. "Bank Center Credit" JSC 6,067.1

32 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan" . № 2155 dated March 30, 1995.

33 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On banks and banking activity in the Republic of Kazakhstan" № 2444 dated August 31, 1995.

34 According to the rate of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan as of Q3 2015 1 USD = 216.2 KZT


№ Bank Assets, mln. USD

6. "Kaspi Bank" JSC 4,864.1

7. "АТF Bank" JSC 4,764.0

8. "Eurasian Bank" JSC 4,154.5

9. "ForteBank" JSC 4,095.1

10. "Bank RBK" JSC 3,555.7

11. "Housing Construction Savings Bank of Kazakhstan" JSC 2,163.3

12. "Citibank Kazakhstan" JSC 1,991.9

13. "Delta Bank" JSC 1,620.1

14. "Nurbank" JSC 1,467.5

15. "Altyn Bank" JSC 1,333.0

16. "Alfa Bank" SB JSC 1,309.2

17. "Qazaq Banki" JSC 1,167.0

18. "AsiaCredit Bank" JSC 1,145.8

19. "Astana Bank" JSC 891.1

20. " VTB Bank (Kazakhstan)" JSC 813.6

21. "Bank Home Credit " ("MB "Alma-Ata ") SB JSC 526.7

22. "Bank of China in Kazakhstan" SB JSC 506.7

23. "Kazinvestbank" JSC 416.8

24. " Kassa Nova Bank " JSC 405.9

25. "Capital Bank Kazakhstan" JSC 382.6

26. "Eximbank Kazakhstan" JSC 288.7

27. "Commercial and Industrial Bank of China in Almaty" JSC 256.7

28. "Kazakhstan-Ziraat International Bank"("KZI Bank" SB JSC) SB JSC 233.2


№ Bank Assets, mln. USD

29. "PNB"-Kazakhstan" SB JSC 136.7

30. "RBS (Kazakhstan)" SB JSC 124.2

31. "Islamic Bank "Al Hilal" JSC 118.1

32. "BankPositiv Kazakhstan" JSC 103.2

33. "Shinhan Bank Kazakhstan" JSC 80.2

34. "Zaman-Bank" JSC 62.5

35. "National Bank of Pakistan" in Kazakhstan" SB JSC 26.8

3. Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK)35 DBK is a joint-stock company, majority shareholding of which belongs to

"Baiterek" NMH. DBK is a national development institute.

DBK’s key objectives:1) financing of investment projects through the performance of operations

provided for in Article 7 of the Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On the Development Bank of Kazakhstan" (including targeted loans to banks, credit lines), on medium and long-term basis, purchase of bonds by DBK, proceeds from the placement of which are allocated by an Issuer to investment projects, and bridge financing for the preparation and implementation of investment projects;

2) financing of export transactions;3) mezzanine financing, project financing, syndicated loans, financing of current

activities of borrowers under projects financed by DBK;4) fostering lending to the economy of Kazakhstan by issuing guarantees on

loans granted by other credit institutions, and co-financing and interbank lending, credit accommodation to lessor-institutions, and organizations engaged in certain types of banking operations;

5) improvement of project financing mechanisms;6) other objectives.

35 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On the Development Bank of Kazakhstan" № 178 dated April 25, 2001.


4.10. ELECTRONIC SERVICES FOR BUSINESS

1. "Electronic government" www.egov.kzАllows businesses to receive automated service on the state registration of legal

entities, accounting registration of branches and representative offices, liquidation of business, and obtain information on legal entities and information to support business.

For some types of services, such as registration, obtaining a certificate of a registered legal entity, registration of termination of a legal entity and many others, a digital signature is required.

2. "Electronic public procurement" www.goszakup.gov.kzAllows to participate in public procurement as customer, organizer and

supplier online.

3. "E-licensing" www.elicense.kzAllows to receive online licenses, including the duplicates, and permits for

various activities. In addition, the portal provides a complete database of all licenses ever issued in Kazakhstan.

4. "E-notary" www.enis.kzAllows to find information on all notaries in the region, their addresses,

contacts, and license information. The system guarantees the security in transactions, eliminating fraud and illegal activities. The portal also allows to verify the authenticity of documents.

5. "Е-pay" www.epay.gov.kzThe payment gateway of the "electronic government" – an automated

system of cashless online payment for the services rendered within the "electronic government" out of the funds of individuals and legal entities deposited on bank accounts.

Electronic digital signature (hereinafter – the EDS)EDS allows to receive public and other services in the electronic form (online),

being an electronic analog of a manual signature.EDS can be obtained by submitting an online application form on the "Egov"

Electronic government portal, in Section "EDS for individuals and legal entities" (http://egov.kz/wps/portal/Content?contentPath=/egovcontent/getecp&lang=en), and should be saved on the computer. In this case, it is necessary to contact the Public Service Center (PSC, starting March 1, 2016 – the State Corporation "Government for citizens"36) to confirm the application as filed.

36 The Republic of Kazakhstan Law "On changes and amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the provision of public services" №408-V dated November 17, 2015.

Khan-Shatyr, designed by Sir Norman Foster, is the largest tent structure in the world. The height of its spire is 150 meters (492 ft), and the floor area is is 127 thsd. sq. m (1.4 mln. sq. ft). According to Forbes Style magazine Khan Shatyr entered the top 10 best world ecobuildings, becoming the only building in the whole CIS territory listed by the magazine

Source: Forbes Style Magazinehttp://www.forbes.ru/forbes-style/issue/2010-10/69963-10-zelenyh-obektov-hai-tek


MEASURES OF STATE

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS

invest.gov.kz


5. MEASURES OF STATE SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS

Along with investment preferences and benefits within SEZ and IZ, an integrated system of support for business has been established in Kazakhstan.

5.1. "BUSINESS ROAD MAP 2020" PROGRAM37 http://www.damu.kz/en

"Business Road Map 2020" is a program for small and medium business entities, operating in priority sectors of economy.

The Program is implemented in four areas: 1) Support of entrepreneurs in new business initiatives; 2) Branch support for entrepreneurs in priority economic sectors and

manufacturing sectors;3) Reduction of currency risks for entrepreneurs; 4) Provision of non-financial measures of support for entrepreneurs.

5.2. "AGRIBUSINESS – 2020" PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTANFOR 2013–202038 http://mgov.kz/en/programma-agrobiznes-2020/

"Agribusiness – 2020" Program for development of agro-industrial complex (hereinafter – AIC) in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2013–2020 is aimed at improving the competitiveness of AIC entities in the country and developing Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector.

The Program operator: the MA of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mayor,s offices in the regions, Almaty and Astana cities.

The Program is implemented in four areas: 1) Financial improvement of AIC entities;2) Enhancement of affordability and accessibility of goods, works and services for

AIC entities;3) Development of the state support systems for AIC entities;4) Improvement of AIC state regulation systems’ efficiency.

5.3. "EXPORTER 2020" PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPORT

"Exporter 2020" Program is a complex support system for export-oriented and operating export enterprises of non-energy sector of economy including 1,500 enterprises.

The Program operators:– National Export and Investment Agency "KAZNEX INVEST", JSC (http://export.gov.kz/en);– "KazExport Garant" Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, JSC (http://www.kecic.kz/en/).

37 Amendment of the Republic of Kazakhstan Government Resolution "On approval of "Business Road Map 2020" Integrated program for support and development of business" № 556 dated June 10, 2010; the Republic of Kazakhstan Government Resolution "On some measures for the implementation of "Business Road Map 2020" Program" and repeal of certain Kazakhstan Government Resolutions" №168 dated March 31, 2015.

38 The Republic of Kazakhstan Government Resolution "On approval of "Agribusiness – 2020" Program for development of agro-industrial complex in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2013–2020" № 151 dated February 18, 2013.


Financial, service and information support of exporters is provided within the program.

5.4. "PRODUCTIVITY 2020" PROGRAM39 http://kidi.gov.kz/

The program is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of industrial enterprises in priority sectors of economy by increasing labor productivity.

Participants: Existing enterprises operating at least 1 year in priority sectors of economy, according to Annex to the Program.

The Program operator: "Kazakhstan Industry Development Institute" JSC.The State support under the Program is as follows: 1) Provision of long-term leasing financing;2) Compensation of expenses incurred 6-12 months prior to the application date

in the amount of 40-50%:3) Compensation of part of expenses of entities engaged in industrial and

innovative activities on promotion of domestic processed goods, works and services at the domestic market.

5.5. STATE SUPPORT OF INDUSTRIAL–INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES40

Entities engaged in industrial and innovative activities are individuals and (or) legal entities implementing industrial and innovative projects in priority sectors of economy or activities to promote domestic processed goods, works and services at the domestic and (or) foreign markets.

State support includes the following: 1) financing, including co-financing of projects, leasing financing;2) provision of guarantee certificates and guarantees on loans;3) crediting through financial institutions;4) subsidizing interest rates on loans granted by financial institutions, and

coupon reward on bonds; 5) investing in authorized capitals;6) guaranteed order;7) provision of innovative grants;8) qualified staffing;9) provision of engineering and communication infrastructure;10) provision of land and subsoil use rights;11) support at the domestic market;12) attraction of foreign investments;13) development and promotion of export the domestic processed goods and

services;14) support of increase in labor productivity and development of territorial

clusters;15) debt restructuring of within financial and economic recovery.

39 The Republic of Kazakhstan Government Resolution "On approval of "Productivity 2020" № 254 Program" dated March 14, 2011.

40 Entrepreneurial Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan №375-V dated October 29, 2015.


East Kazakhstan is an extremely beautiful region with amazing natural contrasts. It includes almost all the landscape-zonal conditions and is famous for thermal water of "The Rakhmanov Springs", which contains radon for health recovery


KAZAKHSTANREGIONS OF

invest.gov.kz


6. REGIONS OF KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan administrative and territorial structure includes 14 regions and 2 cities of republican significance.

Each region has a specialization within the SPIID.

6.1. AKMOLA REGION

Administrative centre: KokshetauPopulation41: 742.4 thousand people Average monthly salary42: 41043 USDSpecialization: manufacture of food products, construction materials,

nonferrous metallurgy, railway and agricultural mechanical engineering.

Social and economic indexes of the region

Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Gross regional product bln. USD 4.0 5.5 5.4 6.3 5.9

Investments into fixed capital bln. USD 0.7 0.8 1.0 0.9 1.0

Industrial production rate bln. USD 1.2 1.6 1.8 1.9 1.7

Agricultural production rate bln. USD 0.7 1.7 1.0 1.5 1.3

Export bln. USD 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.5

Import bln. USD 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6

Source: Committee on Statistics of the МNE of the Republic of Kazakhstan

6.2. AKTOBE REGION

Administrative centre: AktobePopulation: 831.3 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 495 USDSpecialization: nonferrous, ferrous metallurgy, oil and gas processing,

production of chemicals for the industry, construction materials and food products.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 6.2 8.8 8.6 7.8 5.4

Import bln. USD 1.9 1.8 2.3 2.3 1.7


41 According to the Committee on Statistics of the MNE of the Republic of Kazakhstan data as of October 1, 2015.

42 According to the Committee on Statistics of the MNE of the Republic of Kazakhstan data as of Q3 2015.

43 According to the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan exchange rate as of Q3 2015 1 USD = 216.2 KZT


6.3. ALMATY REGION

Administrative centre: TaldykorganPopulation: 1,941.5 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 423 USDSpecialization: manufacture of food products, electric equipment, main

pharmaceutical products, construction materials, clothes, furniture.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4

Import bln. USD 1.2 1.5 2.1 2.1 1.7


6.4. ATYRAU REGION

Administrative centre: AtyrauPopulation: 591.5 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 1,065 USDSpecialization: petrochemical industry, manufacture of chemicals for the

industry, machines and equipment for the oil-processing and oil-extracting industry, construction materials and food products.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 20.7 23.8 24.9 28.3 28.6

Import bln. USD 1.0 1.7 2.0 1.9 2.2


6.5. EAST KAZAKHSTAN REGION

Administrative centre: Ust-KamenogorskPopulation: 1,396.0 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 466 USDSpecialization: nonferrous metallurgy, production of vehicles, agricultural

machinery, electric equipment, shutoff valves, construction materials, food products.



Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 2.2 2.5 2.9 2.4 2.2

Import bln. USD 1.3 1.9 2.7 2.9 2.9


6.6. KARAGANDA REGION

Administrative centre: KaragandaPopulation: 1,383.0 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 519 USDSpecialization: ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy, manufacture of chemicals for

the industry, machines and equipment for the mining industry, electric equipment, construction materials and food products.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 4.9 6.7 4.7 4.6 4.1

Import bln. USD 1.5 2.0 2.2 2.0 1.8


6.7. KOSTANAI REGION

Administrative centre: KostanaiPopulation: 883.0 thousand people Average monthly salary: 419 USDSpecialization: ferrous metallurgy, manufacture of food products, vehicles,

agricultural machinery.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 1.9 2.8 2.5 2.3 1.7

Import bln. USD 0.9 0.9 1.3 1.4 1.4



6.8. KYZYLORDA REGION

Administrative centre: KyzylordaPopulation: 762.3 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 485 USDSpecialization: manufacture of construction materials, food products.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014



Output in the industry bln. USD 5.5 7.3 7.4 7.7 5.6

Output in agriculture bln. USD 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Export bln. USD 3.8 5.0 5.0 5.2 3.0

Import bln. USD 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.2


6.9. MANGYSTAU REGION

Administrative centre: AktauPopulation: 621.8 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 1,038 USDSpecialization: oil processing, petrochemistry, gas processing, production of machines

and equipment for the oil-processing and oil-extracting industry, food products.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 5.2 8.8 8.1 9.2 9.7

Import bln. USD 2.3 1.1 0.7 1.0 0.7


6.10. NORTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION

Administrative centre: PetropavlovskPopulation: 569.7 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 388 USDSpecialization: mechanical engineering (equipment for the oil-processing and oil-

extracting industry, railway transport, power engineering), manufacture of food products.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014






Export bln. USD 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

Import bln. USD 0.5 0.7 0.9 0.9 0.7


6.11. PAVLODAR REGION

Administrative centre: PavlodarPopulation: 757.7 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 492 USDSpecialization: ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy, oil processing, production

of railway equipment, chemicals for the industry, food products.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 1.7 2.1 1.9 2.0 1.5

Import bln. USD 2.2 2.9 3.3 2.4 1.3


6.12. SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION

Administrative centre: ShymkentPopulation: 2,829.0 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 389 USDSpecialization: manufacture of food products, oil processing, light industry,

production of main pharmaceutical products, construction materials, electric equipment, ferrous metallurgy, agrochemistry.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 1.9 2.5 2.9 2.9 2.3

Import bln. USD 1.2 1.4 1.6 2.0 2.2



6.13. WEST KAZAKHSTAN REGION

Administrative centre: UralskPopulation: 634,1 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 537 USDSpecialization: manufacture of machines and equipment, construction materials

and food products.Social and economic indexes of the region

Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 1.3 7.6 9.4 9.2 9.6

Import bln. USD 0.9 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.2


6.14. ZHAMBYL REGION

Administrative centre: TarazPopulation: 1,107.8 thousand peopleAverage monthly salary: 389 USDSpecialization: production of chemicals for the industry, agrochemistry,

ferrous metallurgy, production of construction materials, food products, leather and relating products.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2

Import bln. USD 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6



6.15. ASTANA CITY

Population: 869.1 thousand people Average monthly salary: 878 USDSpecialization: manufacture of food products, railway equipment, electric

equipment, construction materials.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 4.3 6.3 7.8 5.0 5.1

Import bln. USD 2.7 2.9 4.0 4.6 4.7


6.16. ALMATY CITY

Population: 1,688.1 thousand people Average monthly salary: 732 USDSpecialization: manufacture of food products, electric equipment, machines

and equipment for the oil-processing and oil-extracting industry, machines and equipment for the mining industry, construction materials, main pharmaceutical products, furniture.


Index Unit 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014





Export bln. USD 4.9 6.2 6.1 4.7 5.1

Import bln. USD 12.4 16.0 20.8 22.6 17.3



INFORMATION

SUPPORT OF INVESTORS

invest.gov.kz


7. INFORMATION SUPPORT OF INVESTORS

The main tools of information support of investors are two websites – www.invest.gov.kz and www.baseinvest.kz.

1. www.invest.gov.kz – National Investment Interactive Website – contains all necessary information on investment opportunities, competitive

advantages and conditions for doing business in Kazakhstan in 12 languages. It also provides the following tools:• Online submission of applications (http://invest.gov.kz/contacts).• Preferences calculator (http://invest.gov.kz/pages/calculator).• Interactive map (http://invest.gov.kz/pages/infrastruktura).

2. www.baseinvest.kz – Investment Projects and Foreign Investors Database informational system

– This database is a structured resource to display investment projects, requiring investments in Kazakhstan, and information on potential and existing investors (including projects) in the country.


SUCCESSFUL PROJECTSFOREIGN INVESTORS’

TESTIMONIALS

invest.gov.kz


8. SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS

Tikkurila – Production of paints and varnishes in Almaty region"Tikkurila Company is a Finnish producer of paints, which has been operating

for 153 years. The company has long been selecting a country to open a new production and apply the leading innovations in the world. I am glad it was Kazakhstan and we could open a factory near Almaty ...... I am pleased that our products are in high demand among our partners in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, i.e. they are interested in buying paints produced in Kazakhstan. And it gives the basis and platform for further development in the Central Asian region, which we will try to implement. All of our employees are Kazakhstan nationals, and we are creating new jobs" , – Anton Peshkov, General Director of Tikkurila – Central Asia. (Translated from Russian).

Danone – Development of production of two new types of dairy products in Almaty region

"Danone Group is a leading French producer of dairy products, baby food and mineral water ...... The company plans to increase production capacity of dairy products to 13,000 tons per year by 2017, and develop new products. ...... Our company has invested in Kazakhstan 17 million Euros, we have built a new factory near Almaty. Kazakhstan has been chosen for three reasons – growth of the population, political stability and a favorable geographical position. Your country (Kazakhstan – ed.) is located in the heart of Asia, close to the Caucasian countries, which is very convenient for us," – Renaud Chamonal, General Manager of Danone Berkut LLP. (Translated from Russian).

Coca-Cola Icecek – Production of soft drinks in Astana "Since the last year we started investing in our new plant in Astana, which

was built from a scratch. It is the best example of cooperation between the government and business. ...... The economic and political stability and developed investment programs have made it possible for us to continue expanding our business. We are partners of the government in improving investment climate of the country, and we are members of the Foreign Investors Council. ...... The State correctly guides its actions to improve the regulatory impact, amend legal documents that enable creating this type of climate. ...... Now the concept of Investment Ombudsman has been introduced, which is a very important point for foreign investors. This allows to submit many issues for Investment Ombudsman’s discussion, and we,re already getting great benefits from it", – Ahmet Ertin, General Manager of Coca-Cola Almaty Bottlers. (Translated from Russian).


CONTACT INFORMATION OF PUBLIC BODIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Public bodies and organizations responsible for attraction of investments:

International organizations:

Ministry for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan (www.mid.gov.kz) 32/1 Kabanbai Batyr avenue, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 754-411Fax: +7 (7172) 754-080E-mail: [email protected]

"KAZNEX INVEST" National Export and Investments Agency, JSC (www.kaznexinvest.kz)Contacts:2nd floor, 25 Syganak street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 919-040Fax: +7 (7172) 919-050E-mail: [email protected]

The World BankContacts:14th floor, 12 Samal street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 691-440 4th floor, 41A Kazybek Bi street, Almaty, 050010 Tel.: +7 (727) 3778-220

"Al Hilal" Islamic Bank JSCContacts:14th floor, 13A, 77/7 Al-Farabi avenue, Almaty, 050040Tel.: +7 (727) 2330-00011 Saraishyk street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7(7172) 602-212

Investment Committee of the Ministry for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan (invest.mid.gov.kz)Contacts:32/1 Kabanbai Batyr avenue, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 754-585E-mail: [email protected]

Investors Service Centre Contacts: Tel.: +7 (7172) 754-540

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ЕBRD) Contacts:3d floor, 41 Kazybek Bi street, Almaty, 050010Tel.: +7 (727) 3320-00010th floor, 2 Dostyk street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7(7172) 554-246

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Contacts:20th floor, 12 Samal microdistrict, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 709-7072nd floor, 20A Kazybek Bi street, Almaty, 050010Tel.: +7 (727) 3123-100

OECD countries’ embassies and consulates in Kazakhstan:

AustriaContacts: 9th floor, 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 977-869Fax: +7 (7172) 977-850E-mail: [email protected]

BelgiumContacts: 3 floor, 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 974-485Fax: +7 (7172) 977-849E-mail: [email protected]


GermanyContacts: 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 791-200Fax: +7 (7172) 791-213E-mail: [email protected]

GreeceContacts: 109 Karaotkel-2 microdistrict, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 563-714Fax: +7 (7172) 563-826E-mail: [email protected]

HungaryContacts: 9th floor, 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000 Tel.: +7 (7172) 550-323Fax: +7 (7172) 550-324E-mail: [email protected]

IrelandContacts: 6th floor, 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 556-200Fax: +7 (7172) 556-211E-mail: [email protected]

IsraelContacts: 8 Auezov street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 688-739Fax: +7 (7172) 688-735E-mail: [email protected]

ItalyContacts: 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 243-390Fax: +7 (7172) 243-686E-mail: [email protected]

JapanContacts: 5th floor, 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 977-843Fax: +7 (7172) 977-842

CanadaContacts: 13/1 Kabanbai Batyr street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 475-577Fax: +7 (7172) 475-587E-mail: [email protected]

Chile (Consulate)Contacts: 304 office, 15 Saryarka street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 731-177E-mail: [email protected]

Czech RepublicContacts: 11th floor, 4 Orynbor street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 660-472Fax: +7 (7172) 660-142E-mail: [email protected]

Denmark(Consulate)Contacts: 130 Begalina street, Almaty, 050051Tel.: +7 (727) 2917-754Fax: +7 (727) 2938-262E-mail: [email protected]

EstoniaContacts: 28A Kabanbai Batyr street, Astana,010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 240-280Fax: +7 (7172) 240-281E-mail: [email protected]

FinlandContacts: 12 Samal microdistrict, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 442-121Fax: +7 (7172) 442-116E-mail: [email protected]

FranceContacts: 4th floor, 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 795-100Fax: +7 (7172) 795-101E-mail: [email protected]


Central executive bodies (Ministries) of the Republic of Kazakhstan:

Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan (www.adilet.gov.kz) Contacts:13 entrance, House of Ministries,8 Orynbor street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 740-797Fax: +7 (7172) 740-954E-mail: [email protected]

Luxembourg (Consulate)Contacts: 312 office, 76 Abai street, Almaty, 050057Tel.: +7 (727) 2584-768Fax: +7 (727) 2662-447E-mail: [email protected]

NetherlandsContacts: 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 555-450Fax: +7 (7172) 555-474E-mail: [email protected]

NorwayContacts: 17th floor, 12 Samal microdistrict, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 551-100Fax: +7 (7172) 551-199E-mail: [email protected]

PolandContacts: 15 Saryarka street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 944-400Fax: +7 (7172) 944-401E-mail: [email protected]

SlovakiaContacts: 5 Tanbalytas street, Karaotkel-2 microdistrict, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 241-191Fax: +7 (7172) 242-048E-mail: [email protected]

South KoreaContacts: 9th floor, 6/1 Kabanbai Batyr street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 925-591Fax: +7 (7172) 925-596E-mail: [email protected]

SpainContacts: 25 apartment, 47 Kenesary street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 201-535Fax: +7 (7172) 200-317E-mail: emb.astana@maeс.es

SwedenContacts: 17th floor, 12 Samal microdistrict, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 591-805Fax: +7 (7172) 591-806E-mail: [email protected]

SwitzerlandContacts: 8th floor, 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 979-892Fax: +7 (7172) 979-894E-mail: [email protected]

TurkeyContacts: 3Tashenov street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 704-704Fax: +7 (7172) 204-531E-mail: [email protected]

United Kingdom Contacts: 6th floor, 62 Cosmonauts street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 556-200Fax: +7 (7172) 556-211E-mail: [email protected]

United StatesContacts: Building 3, 23-22 street, Ak-bulak 4 microdistrict, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 702-100Fax: +7 (7172) 340-890E-mail: [email protected]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (www.mfa.gov.kz) Contacts:31 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 720-517 Fax: +7 (7172) 720-516E-mail: [email protected]


Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (www.energo.gov.kz) Contacts:19A Kabanbai Batyr avenue, Astana, 010000Tel.: + 7 (7172) 976-981E-mail: [email protected]

Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (www.economy.gov.kz) Contacts:7 entrance, House of Ministries,8 Orynbor street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 742-809; +7 (7172) 743-798E-mail: [email protected]

Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan (www.mgov.kz) Contacts:36 Kenesary street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 555-763Fax: +7 (7172) 555-995E-mail: [email protected]

Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan (www.mzsr.gov.kz) Contacts:6 entrance, House of Ministries,8 Orynbor street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 74-37-23; +7 (7172) 74-36-04; E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Astana city (www.astana.gov.kz)Contacts: 11 Beibitshilik street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 556-655; +7 (7172) 55-64-84E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Almaty city (www.almaty.gov.kz) Contacts: 4 Republic Square, Almaty, 050001Tel.: +7 (727) 2716-675E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Akmola region (www.akmo.gov.kz) Contacts: 83 Abai street, Kokshetau, 020000Tel.: +7 (7162) 297-271Fax: +7 (7162) 297-310E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Aktobe region (www.aktobe.gov.kz) Contacts: 40 Abilkhair avenue, Aktobe, 030000Tel.: +7 (7132) 932-064E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Almaty region (www.zhetysu.gov.kz)Contacts: 38 Tauelsizdik street, Taldykorgan, 040000Tel.: +7 (7282) 247-429E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Atyrau region (www.atyrau.gov.kz) Contacts: 77 Aiteke Bi street, Atyrau, 060010Tel.: +7 (7122) 354-092E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in East Kazakhstan region(www.akimvko.gov.kz) Contacts: 40 Gorkii street, Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070019Tel.: +7 (7232) 578-580; +7 (7232) 264-242E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Karaganda region (www.karaganda-region.gov.kz) Contacts: 13Alikhanova street, Karaganda, 100000Tel.: +7 (7212) 501-515; +7 (7212) 501-532E-mail: [email protected]

Local governments (Mayor,s Offices) of the Republic of Kazakhstan:


Mayor,s Office in Kostanai region (www.kostanay.gov.kz) Contacts: 66 Al-Farabi avenue, Kostanai, 110000Tel.: +7 (7142) 575-084E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Kyzylorda region (www.e-kyzylorda.gov.kz) Contacts: 1 Sultan Beibarys street, Kyzylorda, 120003Tel.: +7 (7242) 401-191 Fax: +7 (7242) 605-570E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Mangystau region (www.mangystau.gov.kz) Contacts: 1 building, 14 microdistrict, Aktau, 130000Tel.: +7 (7292) 315-365E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in North Kazakhstan region(www.sko.gov.kz) Contacts: 58 Kazakhstan Constitution street, Petropavlovsk, 150011Tel.: +7 (7152) 340-205

Regional, Astana and Almaty Mayors’ Special Deputies on investment counselling:

Astana city Contacts: Tel.: +7 (7172) 556-408

Almaty cityContacts: Tel.: +7 (727) 2720-285

Akmola regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7162) 297-281

Aktobe regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7132) 560-307

Almaty regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7282) 270-686

Fax: +7 (7152) 502-189E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in Pavlodar region(www.pavlodar.gov.kz) Contacts: 49 Satpayev street, Pavlodar, 140000Tel.: +7 (7182) 323-422

Mayor,s Office in South Kazakhstan region (www.ontustik.gov.kz) Contacts: Astana avenue, Shymkent, 160018Tel.: +7 (7252) 247-113E-mail: [email protected]

Mayor,s Office in West Kazakhstan region (www.bko.gov.kz) Contacts: 179 Dostyk-Druzhby avenue, Uralsk ,090000Tel.: +7 (7112) 512-708; +7 (7112) 512-531

Mayor,s Office in Zhambyl region (www.zhambyl.gov.kz) Contacts: 080000 Taraz, Abai st, 125Tel.: +7 (7262) 431-822E-mail: [email protected]

Atyrau RegionContacts: Tel.:+7 (7122) 354-505

East Kazakhstan regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7232) 263-810

Karaganda regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7212) 501-518

Kostanai regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7142) 575-015

Kyzylorda regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7242) 605-504


Mangystau regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7292) 421-605

North Kazakhstan regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7152) 462-452

Pavlodar regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7182) 323-646

South Kazakhstan regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7252) 550-029

West Kazakhstan regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7112) 507-357

Zhambyl regionContacts: Tel.: +7 (7262) 432-539

Investors Service Centers:

Astana city – Astana Innovations, JSC (www.ain.kz) Contacts:Nursaia-2 building, 13 Dostyk street, Astana, 010013Tel.: +7 (7172) 578-950E-mail: [email protected]

Almaty city –Almaty Development Center, JSC (www.almatydc.kz) Contacts: 4th floor, 85 Dostyk avenue, Almaty, 050010Tel.: +7 (727) 3341-378 Fax: 7 (727) 3341-381E-mail: [email protected]

Akmola region – NC SEC "Esil", JSC (www.spk-esil.kz) Contacts: 3d floor, 41 B. Momyshuly street, Kokshetau,020000Tel.: +7 (7162) 721-363Fax: +7 (7162) 721-360 E-mail: [email protected]

Aktobe region – NC SEC "Aktobe", JSC (www.spk-aktobe.kz) Contacts: 22 "К" Sankibai Batyra street, Aktobe, 030000Tel.: +7 (7132) 551-300E-mail: [email protected]

Almaty region – NC SEC "Zhetisu", JSC (www.spk-zhetisu.kz) Contacts: 113 Abylaikhana street, Taldykorgan, 040000Tel.: +7 (7282) 274-057Fax: +7 (7282) 241-369E-mail: [email protected]

Atyrau region – NC SEC "Atyrau", JSC (www.spk-atyrau.kz) Contacts: 29 Moldagaliyeva street, Atyrau, 060005Tel.: +7 (7122) 458-490 E-mail: [email protected]

East Kazakhstan region – NC SEC "Ertis", JSC (www.spkertis.kz) Contacts: 61 Kirova street, Ust-Kamenogorsk, 070019Tel.: + 7 (7232) 268-967Fax: + 7 (7232) 249-959E-mail: [email protected]

Karaganda region – NC SEC "Saryarka", JSC (www.spk-saryarka.kz) Contacts: 4 Stroitelei avenue, Karaganda, 100026Tel.: +7 (7212) 400-989 Fax: +7 (7212) 400-975E-mail: [email protected]

Kostanai region – NC SEC "Tobol", JSC (www.spk-tobol.kz)Contacts: 68 Dulatova street, Kostanai, 110000Tel.: +7 (7142) 543-377 Fax: +7 (7142) 533-733 E-mail: [email protected]

Kyzylorda region – NC SEC "Baikonur", JSC (www.spk-baikonur.kz) Contacts: 42 Zheltoksan street, Kyzylorda, 120000Tel.: +7 (7242) 605-160Fax: +7 (7242) 605-162E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]


Mangystau region – NC SEC "Caspiy", JSC (www.caspiy.kz) Contacts: 19 Coastal Zone, 4 microdistrict, Aktau,130000Tel.: +7 (7292) 535-353Fax: +7 (7292) 535-318E-mail: [email protected]

North Kazakhstan region – NC SEC "Soltustik", JSC (www.spk-soltustik.kz) Contacts: 69 Mira street, Petropevlovsk,150008Tel.: +7 (7152) 500-830 Fax: +7 (7152) 531-544 E-mail: [email protected]

Pavlodar region – NC SEC "Pavlodar", JSC (www.spkpavlodar.kz) Contacts: Tramway Management building, North Industrial Zone, Pavlodar,140000Tel.: +7 (7182) 650-305 E-mail: [email protected]

South Kazakhstan region – Shymkent Innovation, LLP Contacts: Centre of servicing facilities for Entrepreneurs, Baitursynov street, Shymkent, 160000Tel.: +7 (7252) 222-518Fax: +7 (7252) 391-447E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

West Kazakhstan region – NC SEC "Oral", JSC (www.spk-oral.kz) Contacts: 206/1 Dostyk avenue, Uralsk, 090006Tel.: +7 (7112) 505-947Fax: +7 (7112) 506-628E-mail: [email protected]

Zhambyl region – Tarazinvestconsult, LLP (www.taraz-invest.kz) Contacts: 35 Tole Bi street, Taraz, 080000Tel.: +7 (7262) 438-903Fax: +7 (7262) 438-902E-mail: [email protected]

NC "Kazakhstan Engineering", JSC (www.ke.kz) Contacts: 10 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 695-599Fax: +7 (7172) 611-927E-mail: [email protected]

United Chemical Company, LLP (www.ucc.com.kz) Contacts: 34th floor, B block, 8 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 277-127E-mail: [email protected]

Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company "KEGOC", JSC (www.kegoc.kz)Contacts: 59 Tauelsizdik avenue, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 693-824Fax: +7 (7172) 690-455E-mail: [email protected]

"Samruk-Kazyna" Sovereign Wealth Fund, JSC (www.sk.kz) Contacts: B block, 8 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 554-002Fax: +7 (7172) 554-000E-mail: [email protected]

NC "KazMunayGas", JSC (www.kmg.kz) Contacts: 19 Kabanbai Batyr avenue, Astana, 010000 Tel.: + 7 (7172) 976-063E-mail: [email protected]

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, JSC (www.railways.kz) Contacts: 6 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 930-113E-mail: [email protected]

National Companies:


Public private partnerpship advisory center, LLP (www.pppac.kz) Contacts: 16th floor, Business Centre "Moscow", 18 Dostyk street, Astana, 010000Tel./Fax: +7(7172) 790-450Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

National mining company "Tau-Ken Samruk", JSC (www.tks.kz) Contacts: 13th floor, B block, 8 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 559-572Fax: +7 (7172) 552-780E-mail: [email protected]

"Baiterek" National Management Holding, JSC (www.baiterek.gov.kz) Contacts: B block, 8 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 919-111Fax: +7 (7172) 919-115E-mail: [email protected]

Development Bank of Kazakhstan, JSC (www.kdb.kz) Contacts: "Kazyna Tower", 10 Orynbor street, Astana, 010000 Tel.: +7 (7172) 792-600 Fax: +7 (7172) 792-638E-mail: [email protected]

Kazatomprom, JSC (www.kazatomprom.kz). Contacts:10 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel./Fax: +7 (7172) 551-398E-mail: [email protected]

Investment Fund of Kazakhstan, JSC (www.ifk.kz) Contacts: 31st floor, B block, 8 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 559-596E-mail: [email protected]

Samruk-Energy, JSC (www.samruk-energy.kz) Contacts:Business Centre "Q", B block, 15A Kabanbai Batyr avenue, Astana, 010000Tel.: + 7 (7172) 553-021Fax: +7 (7172) 553-030E-mail: [email protected]

Kazyna Capital Management, JSC (www.kcm-kazyna.kz) Contacts: 16th floor, Business Centre "Moscow", 18 Dostyk street, Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 554-222E-mail: [email protected]

National Agency for Technological Development, JSC (www.natd.gov.kz) Contacts: 12/1 Kunayev street, 11th floor, Business-Centre "The Water-Green Boulevard", Astana, 010000Tel.: +7 (7172) 571-012E-mail: [email protected]

"Entrepreneurship Development Fund "Damu", JSC (www.damu.kz) Contacts: 111 Gogol street, Almaty, 050004Tel.: +7 (727) 2445-566Fax: +7 (727) 2780-776E-mail: [email protected]

Business-associations of the Republic of Kazakhstan:

"Atameken" National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (www.palata.kz) Contacts: 26th floor, B block, 8 Kunayev street, Astana, 010000 Tel.: +7 (7172) 919-300; +7 (7172) 919-390Fax: +7 (7172) 919-393E-mail: [email protected]

Investment Commitee of theMinistry for Investment and Development

invest.mid.gov.kz

National Export and Investment Agency"KAZNEX INVEST"kaznexinvest.kz

invest in kazakhstan. investors guide

Investor Relations