K a z a k h s t a n  

Aksai - the administrative center of the Burlinsky district of the West Kazakhstan region has significant potential for creating a favorable business and investment climate.

Industrial reserves of gas, condensate, oil (Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field) were discovered and developed in the region. Also, the region is rich with building sand, gravel, brick clay, limestone and marl.

One of the world's largest oil and gas deposits, Karachaganak, is located near Aksai. The deposit covers an area of 280 square km. The reserves of the field equal to 1.35 trillion cube meters of gas and 1.2 billion tons of oil and gas condensate. Recoverable reserves of liquid hydrocarbon raw materials amount to 320 million tons and gas of more than 450 billion cubic meters.

Another major field is the Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field, which is located near the border between Kazakhstan and Russia; its current reserves are 48.7 billion m3 of gas and 35 million tons of oil and condensate.

In 2019, a liquefied nitrogen plant was commissioned. The project is included in the regional business support program. The successful implementation of this project was carried out as part of the KPO "Local Support" program in connection with the 40th anniversary of the development of the Karachaganak field. An investment of 1 million US dollars was attracted to implement the project.

Mangistau region is located on the east coast of the Caspian Sea. The region attracts investors with its vast mineral reserves, well established transport routes and advanced industry and infrastructure. Over 25% Kazakhstan’s oil is produced in the Mangistau region, and the proven oil reserves amount to over 3 billion tons.

Aktau and Quryq commercial ports are one of the main international trade hubs, which link Kazakhstan and the Eurasian Economic Union with the rest of the global trading partners. In 2018, the total cargo shipment volumes amounted to 3 554 thousand tons, including 2 089 thousand tons of oil and oil products, 188 thousand tons of metal, 823 thousand tons of grain, 96 thousand tons of ferry cargo - 96 thousand tons and 358 thousand of tones of other cargos.

Rapid expansion of industry and infrastructure in 2016 led to growth of the region’s GDP to 6.4 billion US dollars compared to 4.4 billion in 2012.

Most eminent advantages of Mangistau region are as follows:

• Two international transport corridors, TRACECA and North-South, pass through the region connecting Eastern Europe with Central Asia and North Europe with Persian Gulf states;
• Vantage geographical location;
• Favourable conditions for doing business and availability of investment projects in construction and, oil and gas fields;
• Oil extraction is carried out by leading foreign and Kazakh companies;
• Presence of a number of research and development organisations;
• Vast mineral reserves facilitating development of metallurgy and manufacturing of construction materials;
• Numerous PPP projects aimed at development and modernisation of infrastructure and industry;
• Custom privileges – foreign support for local manufacturers;
• Developed transport communications (sea and air routes, railways and highways) and transport and logistics complexes;
• Qualified and trained personnel.

Aktobe is one of the largest industrial, business and cultural centers of Kazakhstan, where foreign investments flow in to develop various business sectors of the city.

GRATA has earned the global recognition for its professional ethics and competence in foreign investment, M&A, capital markets and PPP projects in Central Asia.

 The GRATA’s office in Aktobe has been successfully operating since the 2013.

GRATA International law firm opened its first office in Almaty on April 1992.

Being the largest and most developed metropolis of the Central Asian region, Almaty has formed as a center for the deployment of representative offices of international organizations, financial institutions and major companies.

Almaty possesses significant economic, industrial and business resources which amplify city’s development.

Almaty provides 20.9% of the country's GDP, 32% of tax and non-tax revenues, 41% of trade operations, providing jobs for about 15% of the country's employed population.

Almaty is a major logistics hub on the route Western Europe - Western China. It provides about 20% of the country's foreign trade.

On October 2019, Kazakhstan ranked 25th out of 190 countries in terms of the Doing Business World Bank rating. This index is based on Almaty indicators.

Atyrau is the main hydrocarbon region of Kazakhstan, the largest centre for oil and gas production with a promising investment market.

Today Atyrau is one of the largest industrial centres of the Caspian region. Atyrau is known throughout the world as a wealthy depository of hydrocarbons. Apart of being a homeland for large oil field, Tengiz and Kashagan, it also has unique deposits of various minerals and construction materials.

The branch of GRATA in Atyrau is one of the first and has been operating since 1997, having a reputation of a reliable partner in the region.

GRATA’s Atyrau office is located in the business centre of the city on the bank of the Ural River and has up to 10 specialists, including lawyers, senior lawyers and a counsel.

GRATA Law Firm has opened a representative office in Karaganda.

Opening a representative office in Karaganda is a logical step for GRATA, which is a leading law firm in the Central Asia region with offices in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia.

Karaganda hosts large enterprises operating in coal mining, engineering, metalworking and the nutrition industry, transport and communications. Today, Karaganda is a large industrial, economic and cultural center of Kazakhstan, which is why it is attractive to foreign companies and investors.

Having earned the status of the most reliable partner in the region, GRATA is proud of its outstanding experience in successfully working on important regional projects implemented jointly with various international law firms. Our reputation is also based on the perfect combination of the ability to provide legal services in the most professional manner and highest qualifications of our lawyers providing legal services of international standard.

GRATA Law Firm opened its representative office in Kokshetau in August 2015.

The opening of representative office in Kokshetau is another step in the realization of GRATA’s strategy for expansion of its network of representative offices and branches in large cities of Kazakhstan.

Agriculture is one of the priority industries in the Akmola region. This part of the country produces a quarter of all high-quality wheat in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The industrial potential of the region is represented by mining and process manufacturing plants which focus on food production, machinery and non-ferrous metals. Other developing sectors include molybdenum production, chemical industry and construction.

The region’s territory is well suited for tourism industry. Recreational areas have a good geographical location, which is within proximity to densely populated industrial regions of Kazakhstan and Russia.

GRATA Law Firm opened a branch in Kostanay in July 2012.

The opening of a GRATA’s branch in Kostanay is another step towards the development of a network of representative offices and branches in large cities of Kazakhstan.

Kostanay has a number of large and medium-sized enterprises in food production, light industry, mechanical engineering, and energy industries.

Having unique experience working on large regional projects and based on the professionalism and highest qualifications of lawyers providing international standard services, the Representative Office in Kostanay provides a full range of legal services.

GRATA Law Firm opened a branch in Kyzylorda in May 2013.

The opening of a branch in Kyzylorda is another step towards the development of a network of representative offices and branches in large cities of Kazakhstan.

Kyzylorda region is an agro-industrial region. The region has significant economic potential and natural resources. Oil and gas sector, the uranium industry and the construction industry are rapidly developing.

Having unique experience working on large regional projects and based on the professionalism and highest qualifications of lawyers providing international standard services, the representative office of GRATA Law Firm in Kyzylorda provides a full range of legal services.

The economy of Nur Sultan shows dynamics and growth. The main areas of development are construction, trade and services. According to the contribution to the gross product of the trade sector of the economy of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan ranks second place among regions and cities of republican significance after Almaty.

Dynamic growth is facilitated by investment growth. In the reporting period, the volume of investments in fixed assets amounted to more than 854 billion tenge, and there is an increase in off-budget investments, their share reached about 88%. All conditions have been created for business: healthy competition, a stable environment and a favorable tax regime.

The number of companies is growing every year. In Nur-Sultan, more than 100 thousand business entities, including those with foreign participation, are registered.

The volume of the gross regional product of the city, according to forecast estimates, amounted to 6 trillion tenge, 55% of which is generated by small and medium-sized businesses.

Industrial enterprises of the city produced products and rendered services worth over 544 billion tenge, thereby recording a positive shift at around plus 9.6%.

Nur-Sultan is a leader in the republic in terms of construction. One fifth of all commissioned residential real estate in Kazakhstan is in the city of Nur-Sultan.

In the process of establishing and conducting business in Nur-Sultan, companies need constant qualified legal support. Lawyers of the office of GRATA International have the necessary experience and knowledge in these areas of construction, infrastructure, trade and services. In addition, employees have positive experience in work with all state and authorized bodies, as well as participate in state and other business audits in order to protect the interests of customers. They have knowledge in the field of possible risks during inspections.

The list of services provided by the GRATA International office in Nur Sultan: Antitrust law, Judicial practice, Corporate law, Environmental law, Intellectual property, Contract law, Labor law, Tax law, Subsoil use.

On 1 August 2013, GRATA Law Firm opened a representative office in Pavlodar.

Pavlodar region is one of the leading industrial centers of Kazakhstan. The rich mineral resources of the region, as well as its favorable geographical position, ensures its stable development and attractiveness to investors.

Qualified lawyers of the representative office have extensive experience in representing clients in court. Fluency in English enhances efficiency of cooperation with our international partners.

High quality legal advices, strict confidentiality, the optimal price-quality ratio of legal services, integrity and responsibility are the main principles of our work.

Petropavlovsk is a large economic and cultural hub of Kazakhstan, occupying 22,491 ha, and the city is the administrative center of the North Kazakhstan region.

Petropavlovsk pays special attention to providing favorable conditions for investors and for doing business. Investors are provided with a unique package of investment incentives.

Advantages of the region are:

1) Production of 1/3 of grain crops in Kazakhstan:

In recent years, Petropavlovsk has become the centre of the largest grain-sowing and grain-producing region of Kazakhstan, where more than 3 million hectares are sown with grain crops, and the gross grain harvest accounts to 34% of the Republic's crop yield.

2) Sustainable investment growth over 5 years:

Annual investment amounts to 60 million US dollars. The average annual growth is 57%.

3) A rich mineral resource base:

• 34 metal and 2 non-metal deposits;
• 217 deposits of construction and technological raw materials and natural resources.
• 52 existing contracts for common mineral resources, of which 46 are for mining, 1 for exploration and production, and 5 for exploration.

The region is also known for mining of building stone, building sand, clay and clay rocks, sand and gravel, salt, natural gravel, etc.

Also, there are 8 subsoil users for solid minerals, 2 for underground mineral waters and 5 for exploration and mining.

4) Favourable business climate:

According to the last year’s results, within the framework of the unified program of support and development of the business “Business Roadmap 2020”, the region takes the 1st place in terms of subsidizing rates, and 3rd place for value of signed guarantee agreements.

The city of Shymkent is located on the Great Silk Road and occupies a very advantageous geographical position. This includes all, the proximity to the borders of neighboring republics, availability of vast mineral deposits, huge reserves of underwater and mineral waters and a rich history. The city has all the prospects for successful development of business and international trade links in the region. Good climate conditions, labour resources and developing infrastructure provide for steady increase in industry and agriculture.

Shymkent is Kazakhstan’s third city with a population of over one million. The city’s industry is characterised by fast pace of development, creation of new enterprises (including those with foreign capital), financial structures and organisations in the service sector.

Therefore, the demand for qualified legal services follow suit.

Thanks to its solid reputation and highly professional lawyers, GRATA’s representative office in Shymkent provides assistance in the establishment and promotion of the business and guarantees an all-around approach to resolving issues and disputes, taking into account the availability of specialists in all areas of law.

The city of Taldykorgan is the administrative center of the Almaty region.

The population of the city is about 140 thousand people. Over twenty medium and large enterprises form the economic basis of the city. The city’s economy is based on two successfully functioning battery plants, a cable production company, a company producing reinforced concrete structures, the country's only manufacturer of hot-dip galvanized products for the consumption of electric grid construction, and several light industry companies.

Over the past few years, the city has transformed into an educational and cultural center of its region. The university, and two institutes, special educational institutions, also in the city there are vocational schools, medical institutions, represent educational institutions.

Zhambyl region has long been famous for its enterprises in the chemical, manufacturing and mining industries. Phosphorites, gold, non-ferrous metals are mined in the region, and there are also some deposits of natural gas.

Taraz, which has a history spanning several centuries, is growing rapidly: the development of entrepreneurship creates additional workplaces, the number of export-import operations increases, and new residential areas are built. The agricultural sector of the region is also undergoing a successful development.

Businesses and residents of Taraz and the nearby regions can receive legal support in any area of law from the representative office of GRATA. Our lawyers’ assistance is not limited only to starting up a business, but also encompasses drafting and executing agreements, including international agreements. GRATA’s lawyers will give timely explanations on banking, taxation, property registration and other issues. Our team ensures complete commitment and professionalism in all tasks related to representation of interests in courts and other government agencies. We are dedicated to offer legal advise to business not only on one particular project, but provide long-term comprehensive support.

Main principles we adhere to:

• Efficiency ;
• All around approach to issues;
• Absolute confidentiality.

GRATA Law Firm has opened a branch in Temirtau.

Opening a branch in Temirtau is a logical step for GRATA, which is a leading law firm in the Central Asia region with offices in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia.

The name of the city is translates from Kazakh language as "Iron Mountain". Another popular name of the city is “Kazakhstan Magnitogorsk”. Temirtau is a large industrial center of Kazakhstan, has a developed transport infrastructure, and is also a city of high culture. The city-forming element is the largest metallurgical production in Kazakhstan, “Arcelor Mittal Still Temirtau” JSC.

With a reputation as the most reliable partner in the region, GRATA is proud of its outstanding experience in successfully working on important regional projects implemented jointly with various international law firms. Our reputation is also based on the perfect combination of the ability to provide legal services in the professional manner and the highest qualifications of lawyers providing legal services in accordance to international standard.

Uralsk is the administrative, industrial, historical and cultural center of the West Kazakhstan region.

The city is located on the border between Europe and Asia, and has long been a trade hub from Asia to Europe and vice versa. One of the branches of the Great Silk Road passed across the region. The beneficial geographical position of the city plays an important role in the development of the city's economy.

Transport flow of goods from Europe, Russia, China, Turkey and other countries passes through Uralsk, which to a large extent contributes to the development of industry, as well as small and medium-sized businesses.

The territory of the region is abundant in deposits of gas and gas condensate, oil, borate ores, oil shale, potassium-magnesium salts, calcareous rocks, cement raw materials, chalk, clays, building and alluvial sand.

The production facilities operating in Uralsk are known far beyond the borders of Kazakhstan. Ships which patrol the borders, defend the country, plowing the vast expanses of the Caspian Sea, are manufactured at the “Zenit” manufacturing plant. Among the well-known industries are “Uralskagroremmash” JSC, which specialises in the production of firefighting and other equipment for public utilities. Another famous local production plant is “ZKMK” JSC, which produces high-tech equipment for the extraction and transportation of oil and gas, and like many others businesses successfully to re-profiled their products through technological modernisation.

Region’s economy:

1) Oil and gas industry: oil and gas production;

2) Agriculture, durum wheat, sheep breeding, horse breeding. In the field of agriculture, 4 investment projects worth 6.0 billion KZT have been implemented, creating about 150 workplaces.

3) Engineering, food production, building materials.

For the current period, the volume of industrial production amounts to 80.8 billion KZT, the index of physical volume compared to the previous year amounts to 113.1%.

One of the agendas is to build an industrial zone in the region - one of the effective tools for developing small and medium-sized businesses, as well as stimulating production. The location of the industrial zone in the area of the Poyma station in the Aksuatsky rural district of the Terektinsky region with an area of 281 hectares was determined.

At the moment, 11 foreign investment projects totaling $ 2.6 billion are being implemented in the West Kazakhstan region.

Uralsk is a city with rich past and good prospects for the future, which has great potential for development.

GRATA Law Firm opened a branch in Ust-Kamenogorsk in June 2013.

The opening of a GRATA branch in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk is another step towards the development of a network of representative offices and branches in large cities of Kazakhstan.

The East Kazakhstan region is one of the industrialised regions of Kazakhstan. Large enterprises of non-ferrous metallurgy, engineering, energy, food, light and woodworking industries, and the construction industry are concentrated in Ust-Kamenogorsk.