Travel
Airports
Astana and Almaty are well served by major international air carriers. Convenient connections between Australia and Kazakhstan include:
- Air Astana with connections in Asia via Bangkok, Beijing, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur or Seoul
- Emirates via Dubai
- Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi
- Korean Airlines via Seoul
Numerous European carriers including Austrian Airlines, British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa service Kazakhstan.
Numerous Asian carriers operate via Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo.
Ground transport
Almaty and Astana have modern international airports, however there are no express train services to the city from these airports. Please note that no Kazakh cities have underground transportation (Almaty metro is under construction with the first line due to be finished in 2012).
It is generally advisable to book your airport transfer in advance, via your hotel or other options. For your safety, do not ride with airport taxis arranged by touts. Alternatively, you may reach the city by taxi or city bus. You will need to pay all expenses directly to the taxi driver in Kazakh tenge cash. Few taxi services provide a receipt for services. Very few drivers speak English, however, an increasing number of drivers do understand directions and it is generally possible to communicate without a translator.
Hotels
Almaty and Astana are both served by a number of international-class hotels. Your travel agent should be able to recommend and book suitable accommodation to meet your budget. Many hotels also offer Internet reservations.
Hotels suitable for international business travellers are available in major cities of Kazakhstan, including Aktau, Atyrau and Karaganda. Austrade can assist with bookings upon request (service fees apply).
Dining
A wide variety of quality dining options are available in Kazakhstan, where you can find many types of food including Kazakh national cuisine, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mediterranean, fusion, Tex Mex, Indian and much more.
Tipping
A 5-10 per cent tip is welcomed at restaurants, but tipping is not the norm elsewhere. As in other countries, restaurants sometimes apply a service charge of 10 per cent.
Tourist attractions
Kazakhstan is rich in tourist attractions. Tourism is mostly focused on mountain sports (skiing, mountaineering and trekking), as well as ethno-historical (archaeological excavations, petroglyphs, nomadic life and culture) and ecological (hiking, picnics, ornithological and botanical tours). The snow-capped mountains behind Almaty and the national museum in Astana are particular highlights. Your hotel reception should also be able to provide information on tours, etc.
Top Business Risks
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the AusNCP website.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a voluntary mechanism which promotes and supports improved governance in resource-rich countries through the full publication and verification of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas, and mining.
The EITI is supported by governments, industry, and non-government organisations around the world. The Australian Government supports the EITI and encourages Australian companies operating internationally to comply with its recommendations.