On 3 — 6 October 2006, Almaty hosted the largest ever edition of Oil and Gas Conference, KIOGE-2006. The permanent Organizer of the event is the international exhibition company ITE Plc. and its regional representative in Central Asia, Iteca, LLP.

This year almost 500 oil and gas, servicing, law and consulting companies from 38 countries showcasing their latest products and services to around 15,000 industry professionals attended the KIOGE-2006.

GRATA Law Firm is proud of being the KIOGE Bronze Sponsor for the 5th time. This year Rashid Gaissin, Partner, Head of the Natural Resources Team spoke at the conference.

Rashid is a qualified Kazakh and English lawyer (LLM in Petroleum Law and Policy from Dundee University), with valuable experience gained in the biggest law firms. He spoke at the 1st session dedicated to Sustainable development of Kazakhstan's oil and gas reserves on Issues of Environmental Law in Conducting Oil Operations in Kazakhstan. The theme of the speech is of great topicality and attracted much attention of the delegates. It covers such aspects as the complexity of the regulatory system; contradictions in laws; miscommunication between state authorities and potential double standards; pressure from politicians, NGOs and local communities; negative influence on investment climate. In his speech, Rashid proposes an action plan for oil companies and gives analysis of the recent draft of the Ecological Code.

Moreover, GRATA managers took active part in the Conference. They are: Aidar Sarymsakov, Managing Partner; Dilyara Yelzhassova, Madina Lavrenova and Marat Akchulakov, all Partners specializing in the oil and gas sphere.

GRATA realizes the importance of the growing interest in the Kazakh national oil and gas sector, and the organization of such events, in particular. We consider it necessary to participate in this conference in order to be able to exchange and accumulate the international experience, as well as to demonstrate GRATA`s achievements in the oil and gas legal sector.