The Ministry of Finance has discussed the possibility of introducing fiscal transaction registration with the National Bank and Kaspi Bank, reported vlast.kz. The Kaspi Gold bankcard offers the option of directly transferring money to other Kaspi clients without commissions using a mobile phone number. The ministry, however, is concerned some businesses use this option to avoid paying taxes, which directly affects the nation’s budget. Instead of using a point of sale (POS) terminal and registering payments, cafés, restaurants, shops and taxi drivers ask clients to pay with the tax-free Kaspi transfer. The ministry indicated not all transfers will be taxed. If a person receives income through these transactions, he or she should pay taxes; if a person is helping a family member or puts cash on card, however, he or she will not have to pay. Kaspi Bank will soon design a solution which will be free and convenient for businesses and could be used as an online cash register.
Royal Dutch Shell has decided to end its association with the Khazar oil and gas field project, reported inbusiness.kz. Low profitability and high capital costs became key reasons for leaving the project. Shell chair in Kazakhstan Olivier Lazare said the company spent hundreds of millions of dollars to develop the field, but the project was not competitive, resulting in its difficult decision. The company, which owns a 55-percent share in the Khazar field development project, noted it tried unsuccessfully to reduce costs.
Atyrau Region Akim (Governor) Nurlan Nogayev reported Nov. 4 on the region’s social-economic development, including the Isker Ana (Business Mother) project, reported informburo.kz. The project started in April and 900 women have participated from both Aryrau city and remote villages. The goal is to teach mothers with more than four children, single mothers, mothers raising children with disabilities and those from low-income families how to open or expand their own businesses. The women take courses in professions such as cook, seamstress, accountant, HR clerk, massage therapist, make-up artist, manicurist and hairdresser. The top 319 graduates received grants in the form of the equipment and accessories necessary to develop their businesses.
Talan Gallery opened recently in Nur-Sultan, offering world fashion house boutiques such as Bang & Olufsen, Brunello Cucinelli, Chopard, Damiani, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada, Loro Piana, MaxMara, Tiffany & Co. and Valentino, reported inforburo.kz. The gallery, which considers itself a comfortable place where people can relax, has services in addition to shopping. Italian beauty salon Aldo Coppola is awaiting customers and a small movie theatre will begin operation Dec. 16. An art gallery, currently exhibiting the works of Kazakh artists, will have ongoing displays. To date, only 50 percent of the gallery is occupied, but it is expected to be at full capacity by the New Year.
One of the country’s supermarket chains has opened a self-service cash desk in a store in Almaty, reported tengrinews.kz. City Deputy Akim (Mayor) Yerzhan Babakumarov and Anti-Corruption Service head Kairat Suntayev launched the “cash desk without a cashier” in an Nov. 6 official ceremony. This sale approach is simple, saves time and allows customers to make purchases on their own. Individuals scan the product barcodes, pack the items and pay with a bankcard at the point of sale (POS) terminal. The service is a part of the “Almaty – Honesty Zone” project, aimed at strengthening an atmosphere of trust, moral qualities, honesty and decency.
