On April 19, 2005 the seminar dedicated to the actual issue of investing in Kazakhstani energy and infrastructure was held in Tokyo. The given event was co-organized by the GRATA Law Firm together with the UK partner, Ashurts Law Company and the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI). The initiative of organizing such a seminar was supported by the Ministry of Transport and Communication of RK, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of RK, the Embassy of the RK to Japan and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

The seminar attracted much attention of business circles. There were about 100 participants from banking sphere and investment companies, industrial and engineering enterprises, consulting and law firms, embassies from Japan, Kazakhstan, Germany, UK and Korea.

The seminar was opened with a welcome note of HE Mr. Bolat Nurgaliyev and was followed up by the speech of the Senior Lawyer of GRATA Law Firm, Mr. V. Lavrenov. He analyzed the current condition of the transport sector in Kazakhstan and its prospects of development. The Managing Partner of GRATA Law Firm, Mr. Aidar Sarymsakov spoke at the seminar about the legal aspects of doing business in Kazakhstan. Mr. Sarymsakov highlighted main issues of how to start business, the potential investors and entrepreneurs are always interested in.

The seminar became a timely event and demonstrated a real interest of foreign investors for Kazakhstan.

In the future GRATA Law Firm plans to organize similar seminars in other countries, as well.