Archives

  • Opportunities in Kazakhstan’s Growing Energy Sector

    Posted 16/06/2014

    Did you know that Kazakhstan is the biggest energy producer after Russia among the former Soviet republics? The country plans to produce 81.8 million metric tons of oil this year, which equates to about 1.65 million barrels a day.

    Once the $50 billion Kashagan project, the country’s biggest oil field, located in the Caspian Sea, is up and running again, Kazakhstan could enter the top ten global oil exporters.

    Kashagan oil field

    The energy-rich country has also recently reported setting new goals to develop the production and processing of hydrocarbon resources and electricity. This forms part of the government’s latest concept for the development of the country’s fuel and energy complex, in which there are plans to invest around $2 billion.

    Kazakhstan ranks 12th in the world for its oil reserves, and 20th for gas reserves. The country has plans to increase the gross volume of oil and condensate production to nearly 112 million tons by 2030. In order to increase the volume of its hydrocarbon reserves, particularly in the Caspian basin, Kazakhstan authorities know that attention to the subsoil use and geological exploration needs to be increased.

    Kazakhstan’s Oil and Gas Ministry plans to implement a package of measures, including increasing the ration of oil production, carrying out measures on innovational development, and establishing a research support infrastructure.

    What does this mean for UK SMEs?

    If your SME could hold the key to resolving some of the issues faced in the energy sector in Kazakhstan right now or to improving production efficiency,  potential to become a part of the success story is immense. With the right advice, tapping into the export market to Kazakhstan could transform your business.

    Contact us today if your SME is ready to take the next step.

     

    Posted in: Opportunities for SMEs, Recent Developments

  • 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

  • Somerset does business in Kazakhstan

    Posted 17/10/2013

    Known as an aerospace hub, tourist destination and of course, for it’s great cider and cream teas, Somerset hasn’t often been seen as an ambitious exporter.

    Pot of tea with scone, clotted cream and jam

    However our Somerset contacts are keen to help solve the problems faced by oil companies and their supply chain in the Kazakhstan oil and gas market.

    Once such success story is Powrmatic, who provide comfortable and safe working environments worldwide through the selection of cost effective, energy efficient and low emission space heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

    When we spoke to Powrmatic about the technical problems our client had getting a new temporary storage facility open and fully operational, they were quick to identify, and deliver, a heating and ventilation product to meet their needs.

    It’s the combination of technical know-how and responsiveness that appeals our clients in Kazakhstan.  If this sounds like you, get in touch.

    Posted in: Recent Developments

  • UK Prime Minister reaches out to Kazakhstan

    Posted 02/07/2013

    UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, meets Nursaltan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

    Kazakhstan officially goes on the trade-map this week with UK PM David Cameron’s first visit to the country.  His brief, to develop trade links, is one which we’ve been working on for over a decade.  Never before have there been so many opportunities for UK suppliers to reach out to this market.

    Our clients are continually looking for ways to save time and resources on complex construction and maintenance projects.  UK providers can bring both innovation and efficiency through tried-and-tested products and services to this exiting market.

    If the thought of going out alone puts you off, we would be delighted to help match your services to our client’s needs.

    Posted in: Recent Developments