On August 29, 2024, at 12:30 PM, a press conference will be held at Astana, Saryarka Avenue 4, in the “Astana” conference hall. The conference will address the topic: “Changing the Economic Structure and Improving the Welfare of Kazakhstan’s Citizens through the Disclosure of Oil Contract Terms for the Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak Fields and Reforming or Liquidating the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs ‘Atameken.'”

The Coordination Council of the “Parasat” Alliance, with the support of the Green Party “Baytak,” has submitted petitions:

1. Demanding the disclosure of terms for production sharing agreements (PSAs) with TCO, KPO, and NCOC: https://epetition.kz/petition/aee8b730-6072-4a14-82c1-59ddf65c4b1b
2. Reform or liquidation of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken”: https://epetition.kz/petition/ff9173c5-d4e1-432d-b587-594c3aaba001

Various estimates suggest that Kazakhstan is missing out on approximately $20 billion annually from oil and gas contracts. Additionally, according to the Green Party “Baytak,” oil-producing regions have turned into ecological disaster zones.

The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” is seen as more harmful than beneficial to businesses, lobbying for the interests of a narrow circle of individuals, and collecting around 20 billion tenge annually in mandatory membership fees and budget subsidies. There have been cases of legal actions by the Chamber against small and micro businesses for collecting membership fees.

The Coordination Council of the “Parasat” Alliance advocates for a deep transformation of the Chamber and the complete abolition of membership fees for all businesses in Kazakhstan. If transformation is not possible, liquidation should be considered due to the lack of transparency and low efficiency.

The conference will also address proposed changes to legislative acts regarding the procedure for signing and reviewing petitions, aiming to remove barriers to signing and enhance the efficiency and transparency of the review process. It is believed that petitions should be reviewed by the Senate or the Mazhilis of Parliament, rather than ministries.

Following the coordination council and press conference, a statement from the members of the Coordination Council of the “Parasat” Entrepreneurs Alliance will be prepared and sent to the Head of State, requesting the inclusion of these issues in the President’s September Address and initiating changes to legislation regarding the signing and review of petitions.

Press conference speakers:

• Oleg Pak – Chairman of the Board of the “Parasat” Entrepreneurs Alliance, Chairman of “Kazkhimprom,” Co-Chair of the Coordination Council
• Azamat Ayaibergenov – Director of the Green Policy Department, Green Party “Baytak”
• Olzhas Baydildinov – Expert in the oil and gas sector, member of the Public Council of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan
• Vladimir Dvoretsky – Chairman of the Association “Self-Regulating Organization – Union of Secondary Metallurgy Industry of Kazakhstan,” member of the Coordination Council
• Petr Svoik – Public figure, political scientist, energy expert, Chairman of the Association “Transparent Tariffs”

Event Address: Astana, “Radisson Hotel Astana,” Saryarka 4, 1st floor, “Astana” conference hall

After the press conference, a coffee break will be provided for participants in the hotel lobby.