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Country Commercial Guides FY 2000: Kazakhstan Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Almaty, released July 1999 Note*

CHAPTER IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

A. Business Customs

In terms of business customs, Kazakhstan is more European than Asian. It is customary to shake hands and call people by their first and patronymic names at business meetings, as well as at informal get-togethers. However, men generally do not shake women's hands in company. Business attire is generally a suit and tie for men, and a suit or business dress for women. Small gifts (pens, company logo pins, memo, and books) are sometimes given at the end of a meeting as a token of appreciation. Business cards are the norm, often in both Russian and English.

Kazakhstani businessmen are generally less direct than American businessmen, and what can be accomplished in three meetings in the U.S. might take thirteen in Kazakhstan, requiring patience and discipline on the part of the U.S. businessmen. An experienced, discreet and motivated interpreter can add invaluable context to your business meetings.

It is common in Kazakhstan to have dinner with business contacts, but only after establishing business contacts in a more formal setting. Business attire is worn. Usually diners share a bottle of vodka or cognac and offer toasts, stating their desire for a fruitful business relationship and warm personal relations between partners. After-hours informal meetings, dinners and toasts, as well as weekend hunting and barbecues can be very important to forge business relations.

B. Travel Advisory and Visas

There is no U.S. Government travel advisory in effect for Kazakhstan.

U.S. business travelers should obtain a Kazakhstani visa through Kazakhstani embassies abroad, prior to arrival in Kazakhstan. Travelers may reach the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the U.S. in Washington, DC at 1401 16th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036; Tel: (202) 232-5488; Fax: (202) 232-5845. Travelers coming from countries that do not have a Kazakhstani embassy should see if the Russian Embassy handles Kazakhstani visas (by bilateral agreement). The Embassy of Kazakhstan requires a completed visa application form; the applicant's passport (not a photocopy); three professional, identical black and white passport-size photos; and a letter of invitation from a sponsoring institution in Kazakhstan. Visas are absolutely necessary in Kazakhstan: travelers have been put back on the plane in Almaty if they do not have valid visas.

Two types of invitations usually suffice an invitation from a registered Kazakhstani sponsor (an individual or organization), or a Kazakhstani-based organization.

In December 1999, the cost of a single-entry visa for a one-week stay was $30; for two weeks $50; for one month $70; more than one month $10. The cost of a one-year multiple-entry visa was $200; for two years the cost was $400. A transit visa costs $15. These prices do not include a separate $5 processing fee. Note: visa fees change often and with little notice. Please check with the U.S. Embassy Commercial Service for up-to-date information.

All travelers must register with the Kazakhstani Office of Visas and Registration (OVIR) within three days of arriving in the country. At the airport upon departure, severe fines may be served without proper documentation from OVIR. If invited by a local firm, the local firm can assist with visa registration procedures. Some leading Hotels also offer assistance with registering visas. Otherwise, travelers should expect to spend one full day at the main OVIR office, located on the corner of Bogenbay Batyr and Masanchi Streets, Registration Department: Tel: 7 (3272) 62-54-62, 63-86-81. Travelers should prepare a written request for registration, which should include full name; citizenship, passport number; duration of stay; address in Kazakhstan; purpose of the trip; and places in Kazakhstan to be visited. As of the end of 1999, the registration fees are: up to 10 days--around $20; up to 30 days--around $50; each additional 30 days--around $5. Major hotels generally take care of OVIR registration, but be sure to check.

In January 2000, the Government of Kazakhstan announced that all travelers transiting Kazakhstan, regardless of whether they have a valid visa for another CIS country, must obtain a Kazakhstani transit visa. A Kazakhstani visa allows a traveler to transit many other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for a maximum of 72 hours without a visa for that country. However, as of June 1999, Kyrgyz visas are required for all travel to Kyrgyzstan, whether or not you have a valid Kazakhstani visa. Uzbekistan has also announced that as of January 1, 2000 it will require visas for all travel to and through Uzbekistan, including transit, regardless of whether the traveler has a valid visa from another CIS country.

C. Kazakhstani Holidays

January 1           New Year's Day
March 8             International Women's Day
March 22            Nauryz (Kazak New Year's Day)
May 1               Unity Day
May 9               Victory Day
August 30           Constitution Day
October 25          Day of Unity   
December 16         Independence Day

The U.S. Embassy in Almaty is closed on both Kazakhstani and American holidays.

D. Business Infrastructure

Travel to Astana - the new capital of Kazakhstan
Any need to conduct business with the Kazakhstani Government requires a visit to Astana. Since the official dedication of the capital in June 1998, more and more businessmen have made Astana a port of their travel itinerary--as witnessed by the packed daily 7:00 am shuttle. U.S. business based in Astana largely does "day trips" to the capital to allow for meetings and business lunches/dinners. The five-star Intercontinental Hotel is a pricey but favored spot for informal meetings. A car and driver, an Almaty based interpreter and a cellular telephone with international access are a standard part of any business day in Astana. Day rates are available at International Hotel for morning arrivals and evening departure clients. Temperatures range from -35 C in the winter to +40 C in the summer--be sure to dress appropriately. Air travel between Astana to Almaty during the October-March period can be difficult and unpredictable given Almaty airport's tendency to fog in and Astana's blizzards. Be prepared to wait it out in the airport or take a 20-hour train ride--driving is not recommended. The lack of major infrastructure will make doing business in the new capital difficult in the short run. The U.S. Commercial Service Almaty provides the popular U.S. Embassy Gold Key Service for Almaty and Astana--let us handle your business and logistical programming. For more information please contact U.S. Embassy Commercial Service (See Chapter XI).

Transportation

There is no direct commercial air service between the U.S. and Kazakhstan. International airlines serving Almaty from Europe, the gateway for most travelers, include: Transaero, Austrian Airlines, KLM, Turkish Air, Lufthansa, Asia-Service, San, and Air Kazakhstan (formerly Kazakhstan Air), British Airways. Travelers to Kazakhstan may experience prolonged delays, unexpected re-routing and sudden cancellations of flights. Air Kazakhstan, the government airline, has scheduled flights to some Asian cities. Due to financial problems, poor weather, and erratic supplies of aviation fuel, domestic and international flights on Air Kazakhstan are frequently disrupted.

Roads in Kazakhstan are poorly maintained; a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for comfort and safety, especially in the winter. Americans wishing to drive in Kazakhstan should possess a valid American driver's license and international driver's license. Trains are inexpensive and keep fairly reliable schedules (more reliable than airplanes), but are slow, uncomfortable, and sometimes attract thieves. Buses between cities are often slow and uncomfortable.

On occasion, Americans traveling in Kazakhstan have reported problems with local officials demanding documentation authorizing travel within their province, in cities officially open to foreigners. However, there is no apparent pattern to this situation.

Hotels

Hotel prices in Almaty range from $300 (not including a 20% VAT) for a single room at the five-star Rakhat Palace Hyatt Regency (other luxury hotels include the Ankara and Astana), to Soviet-style hotels that charge approximately $100-150 per night for a single room. In the summer of 1998, the five star Intercontinental Hotel was opened in Astana. Other hotels recommended in Astana are: Tourist Hotel, Ishym Hotel, and Comfort Hotel. Many hotels now accept major credit cards; the Hyatt will also allow guests to obtain a cash advance from their credit cards. Many hotels have a business center with computers, business assistance services and fax capability, although with a high price tag. U.S. companies can also take advantage of competitively priced business facilitation services offered by the American Business Center, co-located with the U.S. Commercial Service offices. The following hotels in Almaty are not recommended because of problems with cleanliness and security: Dangyl, Dinamo, Kargalinka, Kolos, Kulan, Molodezhnaya, Salut, Sport, and Turkestan.

Communications

International direct-dial telephone lines are available; calls via satellite range from $1.5 to $3 per minute plus VAT. Cellular telephone - 24 cents (GSM) to 40 cents (AMPS) per minute, and paging services are also available. Fax capabilities are generally good, and there are several options for e-mail.

Health

The air in Almaty is dusty, polluted, and often dry. Travelers should be inoculated against diphtheria, hepatitis A/B, meningitis, and influenza. It is advised that drinking water befiltered or boiled. Many business travelers drink bottled water and carefully clean fruits and vegetables before eating. Medical care in Kazakhstan is below western standards, with severe shortages of basic medical supplies. Travelers should obtain overseas medical insurance that includes coverage for medical air evacuation.

Food and Miscellaneous

Almaty's restaurants are gradually reaching international standards, but high prices are no guarantee of quality. Almaty has restaurants with American, Austrian, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Korean, Lebanese, Pakistani, Swiss and Turkish cuisine's. Tipping does not follow any specific formula, but a service charge of 5-10% may be added to the bill. Traditional Kazakh cuisine revolves on horse meat. Besbarmak is the most popular dish, served every day and on special occasions. Dairy products are also popular and include: Kumys (mare's milk); Shubat (camel milk); and Airan.

Kazakhstan uses the metric system of weights and measures. Electrical appliances run on 220 volts AC.

Language

According to the Kazakhstani constitution, Kazak is the "state" language and Russian an "official" language. Though the government of Kazakhstan makes efforts to enforce the official use of Kazakh language, Russian is generally used in everyday communications and in business. Kazakh is much more prevalent in western and southern Kazakhstan and Russian in the eastern and northern regions of the country. In Almaty, most local residents speak Russian and many speak foreign languages, predominantly English. English is rarely spoken outside the capital. A Russian-English phrase book, with sayings printed in Russian and English, can go a long way to avoid misunderstanding.