The Legal 500

Legal Developments in Kazakhstan

• Kazakhstan Amends Tax Code

  On 16 November 2009, Kazakhstan adopted certain amendments to its Tax Code (the "Tax Amendments"). Most of the Tax Amendments take effect from 1 January 2010. However, some changes are effective retroactively from 1 January 2009. The primary purpose of the Tax Amendments is to keep the current rates of the corporate income tax and the mineral extraction tax until 2012. Another objective is to simplify tax administration and clarify certain provisions of the Tax Code.
  - Baker & McKenzie

• Formation of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan

  Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan will adopt new unified customs tariff and non-tariff regulations from January 1, 2010, and the Customs Union (the “CU”) of the three countries of the Eurasian Economic Community (the “EurAsEC”) will become a reality. The CU Customs Code (the “Customs Code”) is expected to take effect from July 1, 2010 to regulate the resulting integral customs zone.
  - Baker & McKenzie

• Intellectual Property Rights and the Internet in Kazakhstan

  The protection of intellectual property from unauthorized or improper use is always a source of international contention because of the varied protection and enforcement levels between countries. The internet has only intensified this conflict by providing a vast new medium for IP infringement. Thus, the spread of the internet into the countries of the former Soviet Union where private property rights are still very much a developing concept has created numerous IP enforcement issues.
  - Magisters

• Doing Business in Kazakhstan 2009

  Doing Business in Kazakhstan 2009 has been prepared as a general guide for companies operating in or considering investment into Kazakhstan. It is intended to present an overview of the key aspects of the Kazakhstani legal system and regulation of business activities in this country.
  - Baker & McKenzie

• Kazakhstan Introduces Islamic Finance Law

  Kazakhstan has promulgated a new law, the Islamic Finance Law,1 intended to broaden the range of finance options available to Kazakhstani companies and to provide a legal framework for Islamic finance in Kazakhstan.
  - Baker & McKenzie

• Review of the new law on subsoil and subsoil use

  The draft law combines the principles of the Law of the RK in effect on ”Subsoil and Subsoil use” of January 27, 1996 (further the Law on Subsoil) and the Law of the RK on “Oil” of June 28, 1995 (further the Law on Oil), and involves the provisions and requirements of certain governmental resolutions and other delegated legislation.
  - GRATA Law Firm

• Tightening of the subsoil user tax legislation: the main stages of development

  At the present time, the government subsoil users tax policy is one of the most important issues for subsoil users. The export duty, discussions as to the severance tax levy and the new draft of transfer pricing demonstrate the urgency and importance of analysis of the government tax policy and the possible consequences of its implementation for subsoil users.
  - GRATA Law Firm

• Mergers & Acquisitions in Kazakhstan: To Buy or Not to Buy….

  Should foreign companies continue to conduct mergers & acquisitions in Kazakhstan? What are the risks that they face? What are the new laws that the government plans to introduce and how will they affect investors?
  - GRATA Law Firm