Climate Kazakhstan

Climate: Continental, cold winters and hot summers; arid and semi-arid. ...

American companies have invested more than $6 billion in Kazakhstan since 1993. These companies are concentrated in the oil and gas, business services, telecommunications, and electrical energy sectors. Kazakhstan has made progress in creating a favorable investment climate although serious problems, including arbitrary enforcement of laws, remain. A U.S.-Kazakhstan Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Treaty on the Avoidance of Dual Taxation have been in place since 1994 and 1996, respectively. In 2001, Kazakhstan and the United States established the U.S.-Kazakhstan Energy Partnership. In 2002, the two governments entered into the U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Development Partnership, otherwise known as the "Houston Initiative." ... [Read More]

Investment Climate Statements: 2005

Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Finance and Development [Read More]

Kazakhstan: Finishing the Transformation

I would like to conclude with a brief thought on the importance of democratic reform for economic prosperity and integration. It is no accident that almost all of the world's most competitive economies are democracies. Only democratic societies can truly liberate every individual to make a unique personal contribution to national prosperity. Thus, the building of democracy is not only the key to long-term political stability, it is also a fundamental building block of competitiveness in the modern global economy. Political pluralism, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, are just as necessary for economic development as are sound fiscal policy or a friendly investment climate. A vigorous independent media is as vital as computer literacy in the information age. An open political system permits citizens to make decisions about the appropriate level of public investment in human capital, which in turn is a key to reducing income inequality and poverty. Citizens denied fundamenta ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

The climate throughout Kazakhstan is continental and dry, and there are four distinct seasons. The weather in Almaty is very moderate, and consecutive rainy days are rare. Winter temperatures and snowfall are rarely extreme (i.e., rarely below 0°F), and the wind is light. During the 4-5-month summer average high temperatures are usually in the low to mid-80's F.  "Golden Fall," is perhaps the most pleasant season, particularly in Almaty, with brilliantly clear, dry days, colorful autumn leaves, and pleasant temperatures. ... [Read More]

Kazakhstan

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the various religious communities worship largely without government interference. Although local officials attempt on occasion to limit the practice of religion by some nontraditional groups, such attempts are usually corrected upon the intervention of higher-level officials or courts. The overall status of religious freedom improved during the period covered by this report. President Nursultan Nazarbayev continued an initiative to promote dialogue among religions; a second international conference drawing regional dignitaries and religious figures was held in September 2003. However, the President and other senior officials also spoke out on the need to contain religious extremism, and officials at all levels continued to regard religious extremism with concern. Instances of harassment of religious organizations by local officialsdecrease ... [Read More]

U.S. Assistance to Kazakhstan – Fiscal Year 2004

Market reform programs focus on diversifying Kazakhstan’s economy in poorer regions and strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector. The program supports trade and investment, an improved business climate, and micro-enterprise development. USAID programs also support WTO accession, mortgage industry development, and small and medium enterprise training and advisory services. Additionally, U.S. Government funds assist efforts to reform systems and procedures for customs, the fiscal and banking sector, pensions, land allocation, and accounting. In 2004 the innovative U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Development Partnershipcreated a new bilateral relationship whereby the Government of Kazakhstan will assume an increasing share of the cost of market reform projects. U.S. Government assistance improves natural resource management by facilitating regional cooperation on transboundary water issues. Energy sector programs focus on best environmental practices for ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: Rubin Discusses U.S. Objectives at Bonn Conference

The latest chapter in the international climate change negotiations unfolds today in Bonn, Germany, where the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), including the United States, are meeting to continue the critical task of making the 1997 Kyoto Protocol fully operational. This fifth session of the Conference of Parties (COP-5) to the FCCC will last from October 25-November 5, 1999. ...

Climate Change Conference ...

Rubin said in a press statement released October 26 that the United States would continue to insist on cost-effective rules for the protocol during the climate change conference being held in Bonn, Germany. ... [Read More]

Kazakhstan

In an April 19 speech to law enforcement officials, the President called for the verification of mass media compliance with the media and national security laws and how the media are financed. The President sharply criticized much of the national mass media, including the Khabar state television channel, which is operated by his eldest daughter. He accused Khabar of tendentious reporting; he accused other unnamed media outlets of "inciting national strife, insulting the dignity of the people, coming out against the Constitutional system (and) disparaging their country." Consistent with public assurances on April 24 by the Minister of Culture, Information, and Social Accord that the President's speech did not presage a crackdown on the media, government policy toward the media did not appear to change after the President's speech. However, human rights monitors charged that the tone of the President's speech reinforced a climate of media self-censorship and law enforcement harassment of ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Transcript: U.S. Official Reports Status of Climate Change Talks

By Ambassador Mark G. Hambley, Alternate Head of U.S. Delegation, U.S. Special Negotiator on Climate Change and Mr. Jeff Seabright Executive Director of the White House Task Force on Climate Change ...

There are a number of issues which come up under this framework. For instance, the mechanisms discussion, falls under this, as does this issue of 4.8 and 4.9. This is an important issue for developing countries, on the one hand, and the OPEC countries particularly. The issue deals with the impact of climate change on countries, their vulnerability, and adaptation, which small countries -- particularly least-developed countries -- will have to address in order to adapt to the problems of climate change. On the other hand, [the issue] also deals with impact of response measures of Annex I Parties on developing countries. That aspect of [4.8 and 4.9] is of particular concern to OPEC countries because of the potential impact on their oil production in the future. ... [Read More]

Uzbekistan (07/05)

Although it is difficult to make an accurate estimate of economic growth in Uzbekistan--because of the unreliable nature of government statistics, which often serve political rather than economic ends--economic growth is far below potential due to:the country's poor investment climate; failure to attract foreign investment; an extremely restrictive trade regime, implemented in order to meet a strategy of limiting imports of consumer goods; failure to reform the agricultural sector of the economy, potentially the engine of economic growth for this largely rural economy; and the price system in Uzbekistan, which is not functioning properly due to government intervention in markets. ... [Read More]