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  • Top Ten Tips on Business Trips to Kazakhstan

    Posted 03/06/2014

    What the Guide books won’t tell you…!!photo (3)

    1. Before you go: Make sure you pack plenty of mosquito repellant – Atyrau has a high population of mosquitos and good repellant is essential. Despite the heat, long sleeves provide further protection when mosquito levels are high.
    2. Take a copy of your passport/visa/photo, notarised if possible  to keep in your hotel safe on arrival.
    3. When flying to Aktau, go via Russia or Baku for cost effective flights.
    4. On arrival: When passing through immigration, get two stamps on the immigration/landing card handed to you on the plane. Keep this clipped to your passport in the visa page (good idea to take a paperclip for this)
    5. Keep your luggage retrieval labels (attached to your boarding card) as you will need this to leave the airport arrivals area.
    6. During your stay:Keep your passport with you at all times, together with your visa.
    7. Always agree taxi fares before getting into cabs – if you don’t speak Kazakh or Russian, avoid being fleeced as a foreigner by asking your hotel or host organisation to call a taxi from reception, establishing the fare first. (N.B. current rates in Atyrau are 500-1500 tenge (£2-£5), depending on the length of the journey and time of the day). When arriving for the first time, ensure your hotel or host orders you the taxi and they meet you at the airport.
    8. Currency – You can only get Tenge in country, so if travelling for the first time, take dollars and get the hotel to book you the place and add to your bill, as you can often get cash in the hotel.
    9. Be attentive after dark – there are many uneven road surfaces In Kazakhstan, potholes and bumps!
    10. When leaving the country, use the toilet before travelling to the airport – toilets in Departures are often fall short – don’t get caught short!

     

    Posted in: Opportunities for SMEs

  • On to Aktau!

    Posted 22/05/2014

    From Kazopp MD, Graham Potts in Kazakhstan

    Fantastic meetings with Wood Group, Fluor, Worley Parsons, Shell and TCO in Atyrau – all very good contacts, busy promoting suppliers.  Flying south today to Aktau for more meetings with contacts!

    Aktau

     #opportunities for SMEs in Kazakhstan!

    Posted in: Opportunities for SMEs

  • Great Craic in Kazakhstan!

    Posted 21/05/2014

    From Kazopp MD Graham Potts in Atyrau, Kazakhstan

    On the second day of the Shell/UKTI UK Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum, been busy making and meeting  good contacts. Should also mention great craic with the guys in Champions Bar at the Renaissance Hotel and Joys Bar just across the road…!

    #Enjoying doing business in Kazakhstan!

    Posted in: Opportunities for SMEs

  • Tuesday update from Atyrau

    Posted 20/05/2014

    From Kazopp MD Graham Potts, in Atyrau, Kazakhstan

    The weather continues to be hot here in Atyrau, 30°C again yesterday. The main bridge from the airport to the city is closed for a couple of months, adding to the traffic chaos as the working week began here.

    Atyrau bridge at sunset

     

     

    Business is motoring ahead however – good meetings yesterday with Denholm Zholdas, Wood Group, Worley Parsons and TCO,

    There is a wealth of opportunity here if you come with a long term mentality, including training and localisation.

    The Shell/UKTI UK Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum starts today. It will feature important new initiatives to improve commercial conditions and the business environment for companies doing business and operating in Kazakhstan.

    All good news for potential exporters to the country!

    Posted in: Opportunities for SMEs

  • Business visas and ownership … changes you need to know

    Posted 11/10/2013

    Kazakhstan is a great place to do business, but be prepared for a more bureaucratic approach than you may be used to here in the UK.

    Recent changes mean that British Citizens can no longer expect to obtain a business visa at the airport in Kazakhstan – you’ll need to apply well in advance of your visit, and include a letter of invitation from your business contact.  Our experience is that the more formal approach doesn’t necessarily mean that you can be sure when documents will be processed.  Our up-to-the-minute knowledge means that we can help you understand what’s likely to happen when, and how you can make sure everything goes to plan.

    At the moment, UK businesses can wholly own locally-registered companies, although it’s always been worthwhile working closely with a local partner.  With extensive natural assets in Kazakhstan, it’s understandable that the government are looking for ways to secure investment, while also developing local jobs.  Major companies in Kazakhstan have to report their spend on local content, with ownership of their contractors being a factor.

    Based on discussions with our local contacts, we have taken the view that it is likely that new businesses in Kazakhstan will increasingly need a locally-based majority shareholder with a shareholding of at least 50% in order to satisfy government targets.  We anticipate Kazakhstan following the middle-eastern model where at least 51% of shares must be locally-owned.  Our experience of the middle eastern model has been that it is realistic to expect to be able to secure a local sponsor who will hold a majority of shares in trust, while the international investor holds the beneficial interest and generates revenue through items supplied directly and management fees and royalties for the support they provide.

    Let us know if you would like to get out to visit potential customers in Kazakhstan, or if your next step is to set up in country.

    Posted in: Recent Developments