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Some Taxation Issues in the Oil and Gas Industry

#4 (88), September 2014 Some Taxation Issues in the Oil and Gas Industry

The Republic of Kazakhstan possesses significant reserves of oil and gas, which means the oil and gas industry holds the leading position in the structure of the national economy. Therefore the tax system in this sector needs to provide stability, transparency and progressivity,, take into account the general global situation and encourage investment.

An Overview of Important Amendments into Kazakhstan Laws Governing Enforcement of Judicial Acts Introduced in January 2014

#3 (87), May 2014 An Overview of Important Amendments into Kazakhstan Laws Governing Enforcement of Judicial Acts Introduced in January 2014

Kazakhstan laws which govern enforcement of judicial acts were considerably amended in January of this year. These amendments effectively represent policy change towards enforcement of judicial acts in Kazakhstan, making it easier to enforce acts of courts and hold debtors liable for the failure to enforce. The new law may potentially affect everyone doing business in Kazakhstan, especially businesses. In this article, we would like to briefly describe the latest amendments into the law and compare the amended law with the previous regime.

Granting Preferences to Kazakhstani Legal Entities in Connection With Their Investments in Kazakhstan

#2 (86), April 2014 special issueGranting Preferences to Kazakhstani Legal Entities in Connection With Their Investments in Kazakhstan

The issues related to the provision of preferences to Kazakhstani legal entities in connection with their investments in Kazakhstan are mainly governed by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Investments” dated January 8, 2003 (hereinafter the “Investment Law”) and the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Taxes and Other Obligatory Payments to the Budget” dated December 10, 2008 (hereinafter the “Tax Code”).

Comparative Analysis of International Courts of Arbitration

#1 (85), February 2014

For many years, the investors, including subsoil users, have reasonably taken the state courts with mistrust. There are certain presuppositions for that. After all, if the state is a party to the dispute, the decision of the Court is often not only of usual civilian nature, but rather of political one. Therefore, the objectivity, independence and impartiality of judges of state courts suffer.

The General Issues of Contractual Stability in the Civil Law and Stability Terms in Subsoil Use Contracts

#1 (85), February 2014 The General Issues of Contractual Stability in the Civil Law and Stability Terms in Subsoil Use Contracts

The dispositivity (principle of optionality) in the civil law lays special emphasis on a contract as an agreement of the parties to a civil transaction, which sets forth their rights and obligations. Article 2 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan specifies that parties are free to establish their rights and obligations on the basis of a contract and in the determination of contract terms and conditions, which do not contradict the law.

Recent Amendments to the Migration Legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan

#5 (83), October 2013 special issueRecent Amendments to the Migration Legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has adopted and, starting late May 2013, enacted the new Visa Issuance Rules (hereinafter, the Rules), which also affect the visa period of validity reduction and extension issues.

Additional Work under a Construction Contract: Practical Advice on How to Avoid Disputes

#5 (83), October 2013 special issueAdditional Work under a Construction Contract: Practical Advice on How to Avoid Disputes

Situations where a contractor performs additional work under a construction contract occur often in practice. In such a situation various questions arise: Is the contractor obliged to perform additional work? Does he or she have the right to demand payment for it and how can he or she reduce the potential risks of not being paid? Let’s examine these questions

On Both Sides of the Caspian Sea

#4 (82), September 2013 special issueOn Both Sides of the Caspian Sea

The experts of GRATA Law Firm exclusively for Petroleum conducted a comparative analysis of the investment law in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan
– Let us start with a particular example. In the spring of this year, a Norwegian company - Statoil, announced the departure of Kazakhstan.  Having withdrawn Abai project, it chose Azerbaijan and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic in respect to Zafar and Mashal structures in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

The Priority Right of the State

#4 (82), September 2013 special issueThe Priority Right of the State

As is known, contracts for subsoil use have a special status.This is because they concern the natural resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and thus the country's vital interests. The subsoil of Kazakhstan is the exclusive property of the State. Despite the fact that the State grants the right of subsoil use to the possession of individuals, it nevertheless endeavours to retain substantial control over the rational use of mineral resources.

Kazakhstan’s Judicial Practice in Environmental Disputes

#3 (81), June 2013 Kazakhstan’s Judicial Practice in Environmental Disputes

On 30 May 2013, Astana was hosting Environmental Forum where nature users presented a Conception to amend the environmental legislation and other regulatory legal acts addressing the issues of special nature use, environmental charges, environmental permit obtainment procedure and calculation of environmental damage resulting from environmental pollution.

Discussion of Available Means to Mitigate Legal Risks Faced by Foreign Investors Doing Business in the Republic of Kazakhstan

#2 (80), April 2013 special issueDiscussion of Available Means to Mitigate Legal Risks Faced by Foreign Investors Doing Business in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Foreign companies face a variety of legal risks in the course of doing business in the Republic of Kazakhstan (RoK). Inadequate laws, corruption, lack of transparency of courts and regulatory authorities, unpredictability of judgments issued by state courts, in the author’s view, represent the greatest risks when doing business in the RoK.

Problems with Obtaining Refunds from the Budget of Excess VAT Accumulated During Mineral Exploration

#1 (79), February 2013 Problems with Obtaining Refunds from the Budget of Excess VAT Accumulated During Mineral Exploration

Lately, obtaining a refund of value added tax (VAT) incurred in connection with the export of goods has been a pressing issue. Despite the fact that the tax legislation clearly regulates the procedure for refunding excess VAT from the budget, in practice there are various obstacles for taxpayers. This article focuses on the amount of excess VAT accumulated during the exploration period prior to the export of minerals.

Laws Governing International Commercial Arbitration in Kazakhstan and Associated Risks

#6 (78), December 2012 Laws Governing International Commercial Arbitration in Kazakhstan and Associated Risks

The main statute governing international arbitration in the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter "RoK") was introduced in 2004. However, the growing interest in the resolution of disputes by means of international arbitration is only a recent development. In addition to those who would traditionally pursue this route, such as foreign companies or subsidiaries located in the RoK, an increasing number of Kazakhstani companies are considering international arbitration.

Key Features of the Engagement of Foreign Labour in the Republic of Kazakhstan

#6 (78), December 2012 Key Features of the Engagement of Foreign Labour in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, like many other countries, has an established permit procedure for employing foreign workers.  In this case, obtaining a permit for engagement of foreign workers is the responsibility of an employer.

In practice employers frequently commit violations when engaging foreign workers owing to incomplete knowledge of the appropriate procedures.  Most of these violations involve fines for employers and have a negative impact on the engagement of non-residents in the future.  Often, employers do not have a holistic view of all phases of the process of engaging such workers.

New Kazakhstan Regulations Affecting Hydrocarbons Legal Regime

#4 (76), September 2012 special issueNew Kazakhstan Regulations Affecting Hydrocarbons Legal Regime

The most important novels per- taining to the Kazakhstan hydro- carbons legal regime encompass the following blocks of legislation:

  • on subsoil (including the Sub- soil Law1 );
  • on oil and oil products turnover (including the Oil Products Turn- over Law2 ). 
  • on gas and gas supply (includ- ing the Gas Law3 ); 
  • on trunk pipelines (including the Trunk Pipeline Law4 ).

Lately, amendments to legislation have been occurring often, some- times in a dash. For example, the Subsoil Law was adopted a little more than two years ago and it has already been changed nine times since then, of which seven times in 2012.

 

Kazakhstan is due to adopt a new law “On the Main Pipeline”

#3 (75), June 2012 Kazakhstan is due to adopt a new law “On the Main Pipeline”

In keeping with GRATA Law Firm’s policy of informing clients regarding important legal developments that may affect their business, we would like to draw your attention to recent changes in Kazakh legislation in connection with the adoption of the new draft law entitled “On the Main Pipeline.”