KAZAKHSTAN ECONOMIC AND ENERGY UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ALMATY 001210 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN MUDGE DEPT PASS TO OPIC - BALLINGER DEPT PASS TO TDA FOR STEIN, EXIM FOR GLAZER DEPT PASS TO AID - EE-PHILLIPS/RUSHING TREASURY FOR OASIA/VELTRI USDOC FOR 4231/ITA/MAC/MLONDON, 4201/BISNIS USDOC FOR 6110/ITA/TD/BI/RHALPERN ANKARA FOR CFC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EPET EFIN KZ ECONOMIC SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN ECONOMIC AND ENERGY UPDATE March 19 - April 1, 2006 ¶1. Summary: This information is drawn primarily from the Kazakhstani local press, and has not been checked for accuracy. The opinions and policies expressed in this report are those of the authors, not the U.S. Government. -- New Refinancing Rate -- FSA to Toughen Requirements for Second-tier Banks -- Law on State Support of Innovation Activity -- Kazakhtelecom to Cut Tariffs -- Economic Statistics -- Kazakhstan Plans to Export Electricity to China -- First Concession for Power Line Construction Signed -- GOK, Subsoil Users Sign Memo on Procurement -- Expansion of Aktau Seaport -- Oil & Gas Statistics New Refinancing Rate -------------- ¶2. The National Bank of Kazakhstan raised the annual refinancing rate from 8% to 8.5%, starting on April 1, 2006. Last February the annual rate of inflation reached 8.7%, the highest level since June 2001. According to the National Bank, inflationary forces, such as an influx of foreign currency, an increase in gross demand, and credit expansion, will be evident in the coming months. The Bank's decision aims at countering these pressures. (Press-Service of the National Bank, March 20) FSA to Toughen Requirements for Second-tier Banks -------------- -------------- ¶3. According to the Financial Supervision Agency (FSA) Chairman Arman Dunayev, the government is concerned about growing foreign borrowing from commercial banks, and the FSA will likely make regulatory measures tougher. "Our agency will revise the norms and ask the National Bank to revise minimal reserve requirements and limits of foreign exchange positions. In fact, we have already started doing that, and I think that appropriate regulatory actions will be taken after proper coordination and approval," Dunayev said. (Interfax - Kazakhstan, March 29) Law on State Support of Innovation Activity -------------- ¶4. On March 23 President Nazarbayev signed into law the act "On State Support of Innovation Activity." For the fist time, the law defines goals and principles of state support for innovation activity and rules of accreditation and functions of technological business-incubators and techno- parks; outlines the institutional infrastructure of innovation activity; classifies innovation grants; and outlines the sequence of project implementation. (Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, March 30) Kazakhtelecom to Cut Tariffs -------------- ¶5. "Currently, the domestic internet market is filled with providers that produce tough competition, compelling our company to constantly upgrade the quality of its services and offer favorable rate plans for consumers," reads Kazakhtelecom's press release. Starting April 1, 2006, the night rates for internet access will be cut 25%, monthly fees for fixed-line telephone calls will be reduced 4%, and rates for international calls will be lowered for users of new telephone cards: Tarlan-Germany, Tarlan-Turkey and Tarlan-China. (Interfax - Kazakhstan, March 29) Economic Statistics -------------- ¶6. According to the Financial Supervision Agency, Kazakhstan's commercial banks made a net profit of KZT 12.1 billion (about $92.1 million) in the year to February 2006, a year-on-year increase of 112.3%. Gross equity capital of the banking sector amounted to KZT 655.4 billion (about $5 billion) as of March 1, a 2% increase. Gross assets were KZT 4,655.5 billion (about $35.4 billion),up 3.2%. Total revenues of the second-tier banks increased by 72.1% over the reporting period, amounting to KZT 104.8 billion (about $798 million). (Interfax - Kazakhstan, March 29) ¶7. As reported by the FSA, in January-February Kazakhstani insurance companies collected a total of KZT 17 billion (approximately $129.4 million) in premiums, a 27.9% year-on- year increase from 2005. Within the overall volume of premiums, the contribution of mandatory insurance comprised KZT 1.8 billion (about $13.7 million),a 24.1% year-on-year growth; voluntary private insurance was KZT 1.5 billion (about $11.4 million),up 56.2%; and voluntary property insurance stood at KZT 13.7 billion (about $104.26 million), up more than 25.9%. (Interfax - Kazakhstan, March 29) Kazakhstan Plans to Export Electricity to China -------------- -- ¶8. Kazakhstan and China have agreed to construct a coal- generated power station in Ekibastuz, Director of Electric Power and Coal Industry Department of Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry Bertisbayev reported. A bilateral working group has begun a feasibility study. The station, with a projected capacity of 7200 megawatts, will export about 40 billion kilowatt-hours annually to China. The length of the power line is to be 3,600 - 4,800 kilometers. China estimates the project's costs at $4.5 billion, and Kazakhstan at $6-7 billion. China will be responsible for finding a source of financing. (Izvestia Newspaper - Kazakhstan, March 30) The First Concession for Power Line Construction Signed -------------- -------------- ¶9. The first concession for the construction of the 500 - kilometer inter-regional "North Kazakhstan - Aktobe Oblast" power line has been signed, Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry reported on March 28. The cost of the project is about $122 million. The Parliament approved amendments to the Law on Power Industry, which allow the use of both private investments and pension funds' assets to construct power industry objects. (KazInform - Kazakhstan, March 28) GOK, Subsoil Users Sign Memo on Procurement -------------- ¶10. On March 30, Minister of Industry and Trade Shkolnik, representatives of Halliburton, and representatives of the national oil company KazMunayGaz, signed memorandums "On Implementation of Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Concerning Procurement" and "On Development of Local Content on Service Market of Subsoil Users". According to Shkolnik, these agreements will serve to meet World Trade Organization requirements prohibiting host legislation from compelling the use of local goods and services. (Kazakhstan Today - Kazakhstan, March 30) Expansion of Aktau Seaport -------------- ¶11. Planned expansion of the Aktau international seaport (Mangystau Oblast) will double the total volume of cargo transit through the port to 23 million tons, the Prime- Minister's press-service reported. Mobilex Oil Terminal company will undertake the expansion project. Prime- Minister Akhmetov gave relevant ministries 10 days to outline the administrative procedures for creating an "Aktau Seaport free economic zone." (Kazakhstan Today - Kazakhstan, March 29) Oil & Gas Statistics -------------- ¶12. In January - February, 1.8 million tons of oil were refined in Kazakhstan, 14.1% higher than during the same period in 2005, the GOK reported. According to the Energy Ministry, oil processing in 2006 will amount to 12 million tons, 8% higher than in 2005; in 2010 - 15.7 million; and in 2012 - 18 million. (Oil Review - Kazakhstan, March 27) ORDWAY