 AKTAU |
AKtau was founded in the 1960´s as a uranium-mining
town. It sits on the eastern shore of the Caspian
Sea and the surrounding area consists of desert.
All of the town's water is derived from desalination
plants. AKtau was planned by Soviet architects
and is laid out in a straightforward grid of wide
streets, lined with universal apartment blocks
to house the workers of the nearby uranium mines.
The lake shore had perfect sandy beaches and AKtau
developed into a holiday resort for the Soviet
elite.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, demands
for uranium declined and so did the number of
tourists. Aktau survived the crises period in
the country with honor and began to develop further
after Kazakhstan got its independence. The last
10 years were marked by significant economic growth
in the region. There are already many investors
whose interests and hopes have been fulfilled.
However, the potential opportunities of the city
have not been exhausted. Great opportunities await
investors.
A lot has been done to create a favorable investment
climate in the city and in the country in general.
In particular, at the legislative level, the following
policies for support to investors have been established:
· Freedom of business undertakings
· State protection of investors
· Free export of income and capital
· Simplified systems of enterprise registration
· Voluntary participation of international
companies in privatization
· Opportunity for land and real estate
acquisition
The aim of the city is to become a place that
is advanced in economic, social and cultural development.
It look forward to strive for sophisticated relationships
in all the spheres which western help. Last year
the region received an international credit rating.
The constructive plans for development are mutually
beneficial to business. The most important and
dynamic projects are the following:
· Opening of a Free Trade Zone from 1 of
January 2003
· Development of the Port of Aktau
· Construction of a new airport in Aktau
· Construction of a Business Center
· Development of Amusement Centers in Aktau
FREE TRADE
ZONE
A decree was signed on creating a free trade
zone in the port city of Aktau with Neighboring
CIS countries and Iran. The free trade zone will
welcome many businesses and exist for four years,
from 1 January 200 to 1 January 2007.
A free trade zone enables to import cargoes in
this territory duty-free, as well as to store
and sell them there. Cargo export from the free
trade zone to others states complies with cargo
laws. It is more expedient to create a free trade
zone in the territory adjacent to the port of
Aktau. That is why a blueprint of a free trade
zone is being prepared.
Cargoes from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia,
and Iran (highways) are transported from the border
of Kazakhstan to the Free Trade Zone accompanied
or sealed by customs services. Cargoes from Russia,
Azerbaijan, Iran Turkmenistan (by the sea) reach
the Free Trade Zone immediately. The area of the
Free Trade Zone in the ports is approximately
100-200 hectares.
Creation of such zones and the related infrastructure
(warehouses, refrigerators, cranes, etc.) will
increase goods turnover in the region and enhance
integration with adjacent areas. Most importantly,
it will enable to create new productions and financial
structures (banks, etc.9 and accumulate capital
of the neighboring countries' businessmen in Kazakhstan.
These developments will consolidate the national
economy, increase international influence and
intensify sea traffic. The project aims at more
effective us of the city of Aktau, creation of
new jobs and testing of new forms of co-operation
with the neighboring states
| DEVELOPTION
OF THE SEA PORT OF AKTAU |
The Republican State Enterprise "Aktau Sea
Trade Port" (Aktau Port) takes on special significance
in the modern transport system based on two main
reasons:
1. Recently along with traditional transport routes
passing via ports of the Baltic and Black Seas.
TransSiberian and TransAsian railway trunks connecting
Europe and Asia. New alternative transport corridors
have been developed - TRACECA passing via ports
of Poti, Baku and Aktau: route connecting the Black
and Caspian Seas via Volgo-Don channel as well as
the route passing via northern and southern Iranian
ports. All these routes are passing via Aktau port.
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2. The
development of regional export-import traffic, first
of all the export of raw materials from Kazakhstan
and import of different equipment and goods to Kazakhstan.
In this case the development of oil fields in Kazakhstan
is of special significance.
In order to guarantee the Aktau port's capability
to handle the increasing traffic, the Government
of Kazakhstan and Aktau port management has reconstructed
and improved its facilities allowing to significantly
increase its handling facilities. In April 1996
there was concluded a credit agreement with the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
on equipment modernization, reconstruction of
dry cargo berth and breakwater. The works started
at the second half of year 1997 and in 1999 the
first stage of reconstruction has been completed.
The next stage is reconstruction of breakwater
and approach dam. The project cost was 74 mln.
USD including 25% of investment from RK and 75%
- EBRD investment.
The port of Aktau has foreseen the modernization
of management system. European consultants have
been engaged for this purpose. Already now we
can see the growth of transit cargo from Russia
to Iran via Aktau port. Uzbekistan is studying
the question of cotton transit transport to the
Western Europe. Based on the direct investments,
the construction of the grain terminal is in progress.
The operation of the ferry terminal on the route
Aktau - Baku - Aktau has been reopened. Today
the national shipping line is establishing to
develop sea transport.
CONSTRUCTION
OF AN AIRPORT IN AKTAU
The actual airport began operation in 1983. It
is situated on the plains which helps to ensure
flight safety; 350 days out of the year have favorable
weather conditions for flying, the runway (ARW)
is oriented to the wind rose, therefore closure
of the aerodrome due to cross wind restrictions
is unlikely. Access to the sea port and railroad
communications provide for the resolution of problems
regarding the provision of aviation fuel.
Since the end of the last year, an Amsterdam-Aktau
flight has been taking place once per week by
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The International Airport
of Aktau is equipped for landing and take off
of all types of aircraft and is favorably located
at the cross-road of routes linking the countries
of Western Europe with the states of Central and
Southern-Eastern Asia. It has the capacity for
the reception and dispatch of equipment, materials
for the development of off-shore fields by helicopter
and aircraft.
Given the emerging sizeable project related to
the opening of the Kazakhstan field in the northern
part of the Caspian Sea as well as the high potential
of the shelf located in Magistau region, it is
necessary to create a variety of airport services
for transportation of specialists and oil company
workers from Europe, the USA and Japan. A large
volume of cargo and oilfield equipment transported
by aircraft through the Aktau airport is also
expected. Currently 2-3 flights are made every
month to transport oilfield equipment from the
USA by the AN-124 Russian-type planes.
CONSTRUCTION
OF A BUSINESS CENTRE
The construction of a business center aims to
create conditions or the existence and operation
of foreign companies and their representative
offices as well as large domestic firms in Aktau,
to facilitate a concentration of opportunity and
conditions for enhancement of business in the
city of Aktau.
The construction of a business center offering
a full range of services including accommodation,
leisure facilities, work, communication services,
has been accomplished. The third micro district
of Aktau is the most suitable for this project.
The main goal of the project is the provision
of flats to residents in the third micro district
and other parts of the city as well as construction
of houses for higher income groups.
DEVELOPMENT
OF AMUSEMENT CENTRES IN AKTAU
Irrespective of the regional and urban rapid rates
of economic growth as well as the creation of
small and medium sized enterprises, no modern,
high quality amusement centers are present as
of yet in the area. A need has currently risen
for the construction of the following amusement
facilities:
· A race track for horse racing and other
national sports (baiga, kokpar, etc.)
· A roofed tennis court, cinemas, swimming
pools
· A modern golf course
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