Keep up to date with the latest news from Kazakhstan and the team at Kazopp.
Posted 18/01/2016
Even the eagle eyed among you may have missed a report by TengriNews published on Christmas Day 2015 confirming the latest on visa requirements for Kazakhstan! If you were too busy tearing open the wrapping paper or keeping watch over how the turkey was cooking, here’s a quick round up.
Posted 27/07/2015
Hot on the heels of the recent announced extension of the relaxed visa pilot scheme, introduced in July last year, it now looks as though visa- free travel to Kazakhstan could be introduced within the next 18 months.
In July last year, the President of Kazakhstan announced the pilot, which removed visa requirements for UK (among other countries) citizens. That scheme was due to come to an end on 15 July this year, but was recently extended – evidence perhaps that the government’s objective of creating more favorable conditions for foreign business and investment is beginning to reap dividends.
The original scheme was aimed at those countries which had the highest record of investment in Kazakhstan or the best potential to invest in the future. Since July 2014, UK citizens with a valid passport have been able to enter, exit and travel through Kazakhstan on multiple occasions without a visa for up to 15 days at a time. Business travel requiring a longer length of stay have been open to permission upon application.
However, on July 9th, the First Deputy Foreign Minister confirmed that the country has plans to bring in visa-free travel for OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries from the beginning of 2017. In addition to the 34 OECD countries, (which include Britain) Malaysia and Singapore are also included in the new scheme.
This makes it a great time for potential exporters to the Kazakhstan to seize upon improved export conditions and the vast array of export opportunities the oil/gas and construction industries have given rise to there. For those seasoned exporters looking to expand to new markets, it is also good news and makes business and recreational travel, which the Kazakh government have been working to promote, a much easier proposition.
For more details as to how we can help, get in touch!
Posted 13/07/2015
Shocking though it may seem (especially to those over 35 for whom time passes at double speed!) , we’re now over half way through 2015 and it’s a good time to review what’s happening with regard to market conditions in Kazakhstan and review the latest opportunities for SMEs looking to export their technologies, goods and/or services, either as first time exporters or seasoned exporters looking to new markets.
Posted 01/07/2015
The idea of branching out into exports can be daunting for SMEs – even after business owners have got past the (mis-guided) notion that exports are the preserve of large companies, accessing help and support is not always easy. In May this year, as part of Export Week, UKTI launched the First Time Exporters initiative – so what’s it all about?
Posted 01/06/2015
Last week, Kazopp MD Graham Potts was in Kazakhstan, meeting with our trusted Kazakh contacts and promoting our supply chain of UK supplier companies. During the trip he visited Almaty, Atyrau and Aktau, notching up plenty of air miles! It was a great week, very productive with lots of meetings (more on which to follow) in what is undoubtedly a stunning country – here it is in pictures!
Almaty, Kazakhstan
On the road to Tengiz…
…sharing the highway with a different type of traffic!
Breakfast Kazakh style!
Another meeting venue….scenery almost as stunning as Somerset!
Flower festival in Almaty
And home..!
If you think your business could benefit from lucrative export contracts to Kazakhstan, get in touch with a view to joining our growing supply chain.
Posted 16/03/2015
Kazakhstan has no intention to cut back on levels of oil production in 2015, despite the affect on the country’s economy of the fall in oil prices since mid 2014. This mirrors the stance adopted by Opec last November, when the option of cutting production in an attempt to drive the oil price back up was rejected.