KazMunaiGaz National Co., a Kazakh state-owned oil and gas producer, withdrew $1 billion from BTA Bank in September on concerns that access to its deposit was "limited," and used the money to redeem bonds and make loans.
ORAL, Kazakhstan -- The website of an independent weekly in western Kazakhstan has been inaccessible since November 2, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.
KazMunaiGas Exploration Production, a unit of state-owned KazMunaiGaz National Co., said output declined after 1,000 workers walked off the job to protest the arrest of a company driver for alleged possession of heroin.
Kazakhstan's presidential race is off to an early start: following last month's announcement that incumbent President Nursultan Nazarbayev plans a re-election bid in 2012 [5], an opposition leader has now thrown his hat into the ring [6].
ZHANA OZEN, Kazakhstan -- Hundreds of oil company workers in western Kazakhstan went on strike on October 21 to demand the release of a detained union activist, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.
Kazakhstan has oil, coal and uranium -- and a capital full of stunning architecture. President Nursultan Nazarbayev hopes his country can become the region's leading economy, but his heavy-handed cult of personality is not universally welcomed. Others worry about China's growing influence.
