Kazakhstan

Area: 2.724.900 km2 (the 9^th biggest country in the world)
Land boundaries: 12.185 km (1.533 km with China, 1.224 km with Kyrgyzstan, 6.846 km with Russia, 379 km with Turkmenistan, 2.203 km with Uzbekistan)
Climate: The continental, cold winters and hot summers (the temperatures might be over 30°C, the hottest months are July and August)
Natural resources: The deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, bauxite, gold and uranium

Political system: Based on the constitution adopted on August 30, 1995 Kazakhstan is the unitary state with the president form of government. There are three independent areas: executive, legislative and juridical. 
The president: is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. Nursultan Nazarbayev has been the president since 1990.
Executive branch: It is executed by the government appointed by the president of the republic in accordance with the Kazakh’s constitution.
Legislative branch: The legislative is created by the bicameral parliament, senate (2 seats from each administrative division) and Mazhilis (107 seats). Senate members serve six-years terms, Mazhilis members serve five years.
Judicial branch:  It is created by the Kazakh’s Supreme Court and regional and local courts.

Nationality: Kazakhstani(s)
Official language:  The national languages are Kazakh and Russian – it is used in 90% including international business meetings.
Ethnic groups: There are more than 120 groups; Kazakh 63,1%, Russian 23,7%, Uzbek 2,8%, Ukrainian 2,1%, Uighur 1,4 %, Tatar 1,3%, German 1,1%, other 4,5%
Religions:Muslim 70.2%, Christian 26.2% (Russian Orthodox 23.9%, other Christian 2.3%), Buddhist 0.1%, other 0.2%, atheist 2.8%, unspecified 0.5%
Population: 16.967.000 (2012)
Population density: 6 inhabitants / km2
Age structure: 0 - 14 years (24.7 % of inhabitans), 15 - 24 years (16.9 %), 25 - 54 years (42.6%), 55 - 64 (8.9%), over 65 years (6.8 %)
Life expectancy: total 69.63 years (country comparison to the world: 151), male 64.34 years, female: 74.59 years (2012)
Health expenditures: 4.3 % of GDP (2012)
Population growth rate: 1.2 % (2012)
Urbanization: 53.6 % of total population live in cities and towns, the rate of urbanization: 0.87% (2012), forecast for 2015 is 1.33%. Major urban areas: Almaty city (1,383 mil inhabitants), Astana the capital (650.000 inhabitants)
Literacy: 99.7 %
Education expenditures: 3.3 % (2012)

January 1 - 2 (New Year’s Day)
7 (Eastern Orthodox Christmas)

March 8 (International Women’s Day)
22 (Nauryz – Beginning of a new year)

May 1 (Unity Day)
7 (Defender of the Fatherland Day)
9 (Victory Day)

June 23 (the Police Day)
The 3nd Sunday in June (Paramedic Day)
The last Sunday in June (Media Day)

July 6 (Capital city Day)

August - the 1^st Sunday in August (Day of people working in transport and communications)
The 2^nd Sunday in August (Day of construction workers)
The 3^rd Sunday in August (Sport’s Day)
Last Sunday in August (Miners’ Day)
30 (Constitution Day)

October 25 (Kazakh’s Republic’s Day)

December 1 (First President Day)
16 (Independence Day)

GDP (purchasing power parity): 235.6 mld USD (2012)
GDP (real growth rate): 5% (2012)
GDP (per capita): 14.100 USD (2012)
GDP – composition, by sector: agriculture 5.2%, industry 37.9%, service 56.9%
Gross national saving: 28.3% of GDP (2012)
Labor force: 8.540.000 (2012)
Labor force – by occupation: agriculture 25.8%, industry 11.9%, services 62.3% (2012)
Unemployment rate: 5.3% (2012)
Population below poverty line: 5.5% (2012)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10% (3.9 %), highest 10% (23.7 %), distribution of family income – Gini index 28.9%
Budget: revenues 39.19 mld USD, expenditures 44.96 mld USD, budget deficit -2.9 % of GDP (2012)
Public debt: 13.1% of GDP (2012)
Inflation rate: 5.2% (2012)
Central bank discount rate: 5.5% (December 31, 2012)
The biggest production in agriculture: grain (wheat, barley), potatoes, vegetable, melons, livestock
The biggest production in the industry: petroleum, coal, iron, manganese, chromium, lead, zinc, copper, titan, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sculpture, uranium, iron and steel, tractors and agriculture machines, electro engines, building materials
Industrial production growth rate: 1.3% (2012)
Current account balance: +12.69 mld USD (2012)
International trade: export 93.07 mld USD, import 41.16 mld USD (2012)
Territorial structure: 
- Export (China 21%, Russia 9.9%, France 9.3%, Germany 6.9%, Italy 5%, Canada 4.8%, Ukraine 4.7%, Rumania 4.1% to 2012)
- Import (Russia 31.6%, China 26.6%, Germany 6%, Ukraine 4.4% to 2012)
Commodity structure: 
- Export (oil and oil products, natural gas, ferrous metals, chemicals, machinery, grain, wool, meat, coal), - Import (machinery and equipment, metal products, foodstuffs)
International organizations (membership): ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (candidate country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC

Air distance from Prague to Almata (4.695 km)
Time of flight (direct flight 5 - 6 hours, indirect 9 - 13 hours with 1 transfer depending on the transfer location)

Air distance from Prague to Astana (3.925 km)
Time of flight (indirect flight 7 - 8 hours)

Air distance from Astana to Almata (965 km)
Time of flight (direct flight 1 hour, 45 min.)

The temperature in Kazakhstan is from -23°C to 28°C; there might be the temperatures reaching +/- 30 °C. The average daily temperature in Kazakhstan is 8.9° C. The hottest month with the highest average temperature is July, 30°C. Otherwise, the coolest month with the lowest average temperature is January, -12°C. The hottest period of time is from the beginning of May to the middle of September with the average daily temperature over 20°C. The coolest period of time is from the end of November to the beginning of March with the average daily temperature bellow -5°C. The rainiest month is May when there are hailstones and snow showers.

The average annual humidity is 60%, in summer about 40% and from December to February about 75 %. The average daily day of sunshine is 6.5 hours, in the middle of winter time about 4 hours, in summer about 10 hours.

Based on our own experience, let us say that a successful business in the Kazakhstan’s market requires necessary and patient understanding of a business culture which is created by three important following items – Hospitality, Historical traditions and Religion. The Kazakh’s Hospitality comes from the history of ancestors, who used to be nomads and inculcated Kazakhs with their culture of approachable and friendly behavior with their guests. Other values are Historical traditions, which we can see in Kazakhstan despite of modern and rapid development of the country. The Kazakh’s traditional culture habits are becoming popular among young Kazakhs. It is related to the Kazakh’s pride, a typical patriotism and powerful family meaning. The family meaning is much broader than we known from the Czech Republic. Quite hidden value is the Religion, which is influenced by the Sunnite Islam.

When planning a Kazakh’s business meeting, the working week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday. Most of the meetings are arrange in working hours which start at 9:00 and end too late for us, sometime after 8:00pm. Kazakhs have longer working day; however, if there is a bank holiday, do not make any appointment. Contrary to us, they do respect family celebrations, anniversaries, holidays and weekends.

Kazakhs are very social and friendly people; therefore, if you want to give a present to your Kazakh’s partner, it is a grate choice which they will appreciate.

As stated above, Kazakhs are very hospitable people; it is their habit to visit restaurants. Dining is a ritual for Kazakhs; they enough time for it. Kazakhs cuisine is very tasty and it has its foundation in the Russian, Uzbek and South Korean cousins. Within dining, there are discussed business’ matters; the business communication should not be harried up. Due to a varied and rich cousin we should eat slowly in small portions. If we visit our business partner at home, it is good to place a compliment for good meal prepared by his/her partner. Within dining, there is served a typical Kazakh’s tea, coffee, kumys and desserts. Very popular is also Kazakh’s chocolate and fruits. From the main course, there are the most typical ones from meat except pork. In the Kazakh’s cousin we can find the meals especially from mutton, lamb, horse, and veal and fish meat. Typical meals are besbarmak and plov to which are often serve salads, which might be several kinds being served at once.

The Kazakh’s dress code is more formal. These, who deal with foreign partners, care of dressing. They have a very positive relationship to luxury and expensive items. The dressing level is very high for these people. Kazakhs spend a lot of money into their appearance, clothing, jewelry, watches and modern phones and tablets. They do not miss shoes, belts and bags of good quality. Kazakhs feel good to be expressing themselves the best way. We should wear modern, comfortable cloths quite conservative at the meeting. Men usually wear suits with tie and typical pointed shoes. Women wear a blouse with high heels shoes. Men and women care of clean cloths and polished shoes. Mostly, they pay attention to it at his/her business partner’s as well.

• We are ready to prepare the first identification of businesses contacts.
  
• We are ready to prepare a cognitive trip around Kazakhstan.
  
• We are ready to help you with the trip organization or arrange it on your demands – we will prepare a business meeting in a suitable place.  
  
• We are ready to offer you a suitable leisure program based on your demands.
  

Contact us at info@emb-centre.org

• http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/cz/encyklopedie_statu/asie/kazachstan/index.html
  
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kz.html
  
• http://www.tradingeconomics.com/kazakhstan/exports
  
• http://www.kazembassy.cz/cz/o-kazachstanu/statni-symboly/20-let-statnich-symbolu.html
  
• Jan Hájek thesis, topic: Business negotiations and techniques in the international context (Metropolitan University Prague - MUP, 2013)
  

The latest official video of Kaznex Invest, the national export and investment agency to develop export and investment (2014).

Kazakhstan (the country of extraordinary opportunities and discoveries)