What Matters for Business

1. Starting November 20, Kazakhstan will revise form 328.00, used to report imports from EAEU countries, and the rules for filing it. Importers will have to provide details of the goods, their Harmonized System (HS) codes, and foreign-currency contracts. The change affects businesses importing from Russia and other EAEU members.
2. Since November 9, foreign nationals who have physically entered Kazakhstan have been able to obtain an individual identification number (IIN) online through the QazETA app within one business day, under a Ministry of Internal Affairs pilot. The service is relevant to nonresidents who need an IIN to open an account, complete a transaction, or register a business.
3. Large electricity consumers could face charges for capacity they reserve but do not use. Draft amendments have been prepared but not adopted, and neither the rate nor the implementation date has been announced. The proposal affects industrial customers with unused reserved capacity and investors awaiting grid connections.
4. Beginning November 20, contractors working under turnkey contracts with certain quasi-public companies outside the Samruk-Kazyna group may use liability insurance instead of cash or a bank guarantee to secure performance.
5. The Ministry of Energy is accepting applications through November 18 for an auction of 56 oil and gas blocks. Bidding for the Zhangurshi field in Mangystau is scheduled for December 25.
6. The Ministry of Agriculture is updating its register of oilseed exporters to China through November 20, affecting processors and traders.
7. Kazakhstan's economy grew 4.5% in January–October, with manufacturing up 9.3%. Oil production fell 6.7% over the same period.
8. The National Bank issued its first tokenized notes, placing 10 billion tenge out of a 50 billion tenge offering. Demand was 1.4 times the amount offered.