GRATA International Global View

Dear colleagues and subscribers,

Welcome to a new edition of the GRATA International Global View series — this time spotlighting Kazakhstan: one of the fastest-growing economies in Eurasia and a strategic hub for trade, technology, energy, and international investment.

Kazakhstan’s position between Europe and Asia, paired with its ambitious economic development agenda, continues to attract leading global companies and investors from across the world. Today, Kazakhstan is not only a regional energy leader — it is rapidly expanding its presence in finance, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and innovation-driven industries.

With one of the most established legal practices in the country, GRATA International is proud to support investors, businesses, and institutions navigating Kazakhstan’s regulatory environment and fast-evolving economic landscape.

Below, we invite you to explore our practice focus and meet the teams driving our work across the jurisdiction.

INDUSTRIES AND PRACTICES

Automotive Industry
Industry & Trade
Oil & Gas
Technology, Media & Telecommunications
Construction & Infrastructure
Transport
Banking & Finance
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
Mining

Environmental Law
Corporate and M&A
Commercial Contracts
Licenses and Permits
Tax
Subsoil Use
The Acting Law of the AIFC
Intellectual Property
Employment
Finance and Securities
Data Protection & Privacy
Real Estate
Customs Law, International Trade & WTO
Data Protection & Privacy
Dispute Resolution
Legal Compliance

📍Legal Compliance - New practice area

GRATA International provides comprehensive legal support in compliance and regulatory matters.

Our Compliance Department brings together experts with extensive experience in corporate governance, anti-corruption, AML/CFT, data protection, and risk management. The team advises clients on implementing effective compliance systems, conducting internal investigations, and ensuring adherence to both local and international regulations.

Through deep understanding of business processes and regulatory frameworks, our specialists help organizations prevent risks, maintain transparency, and strengthen their reputation for integrity.

The professionalism of GRATA International’s compliance experts has been repeatedly acknowledged by international legal directories and clients for their high standards of ethics and reliability.

Read more here.

Latest publications:

AWARDS

GRATA International is regularly acclaimed by leading international rankings: Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, IFLR1000, WWL, Asialaw Profiles and is featured in Deals of the Year Awards by China Business Law Journal.

MEMBERSHIP IN ORGANISATIONS

GRATA International in Kazakhstan maintains strong engagement with leading business associations and regulatory platforms, including EUROBAK, AmCham, CCIFK, German Economy Union in Kazakhstan, KPLA, KazBar and Atameken — strengthening collaboration, industry dialogue, and the firm’s voice in legal and business communities.

DIRECTORS OF KEY OFFICES

Saule Akhmetova is a Partner and Director of GRATA International’s Almaty office. She has strong expertise in corporate law, taxation, investment, intellectual property, contract law, data protection, and dispute resolution. Saule has successfully represented international and local companies in negotiations with governmental bodies and handled complex administrative, commercial, tax, and IP litigation. She has published multiple articles on investment, tax, intellectual property, and data protection law. Saule holds an Advocate License issued by the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan and is a member of the Kazakhstan Bar Association.

Saule graduated with honours from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and completed additional studies in IT and Telecommunications Law at the University of Strathclyde. She is also part of the Law Faculty at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, lecturing on privacy and IT regulation.

Samat Daumov is a Partner and Director of GRATA International’s Astana office and previously served as Managing Partner for Kazakhstan (2013–2019).

He holds degrees in law and management from KAZGUU University and Kazakh-Russian University, completed studies in the UK, and is a graduate of the Astana Hub Investor School.

Samat specialises in natural resources, corporate and commercial law, and dispute resolution. He lectures at KAZGUU University, has published legal articles, and has been awarded the Presidential "Zhomart Zhan" badge.

He is a member of YPO, the Kazakhstan Bar Association, and several advisory boards and charitable foundations.

Zaira Sarsenova is a Partner and Branch Director of GRATA International in Western Kazakhstan (Atyrau, Aktau, Aqtobe). She specialises in natural resources (oil and gas), transport, telecommunications, construction, and infrastructure. With 16 years of experience, Zaira has advised major domestic and international companies and developed a strong corporate, commercial, and oil and gas practice. She also has extensive experience in joint venture corporate governance.

She holds an LLB from Kazakh National University (2008) and an LLM from Vrije Universiteit and the University of Amsterdam (2019).

Practice areas: Employment law, administrative law, corporate and commercial law, licences and permits.

She is the author of a publication in the Oil, Gas and Energy Law Journal (OGEL) and has received recognition from corporate clients.

KEY EXPERTS

GRATA International has one of the most established legal teams in Kazakhstan, with offices across major business hubs and a strong portfolio of domestic and cross-border mandates. For more than three decades, the firm has been advising leading multinational corporations, investors, financial institutions, and major Kazakh companies across all key sectors of the economy.

In 2025, GRATA International continued to reinforce its leadership in the Kazakh legal market, securing recognition across several prestigious international rankings.

According to The Legal 500 EMEA 2025, the firm achieved Tier 1 in several core practice areas, including Corporate and M&A, Energy and Natural Resources, Real Estate and Construction, Tax and Customs, and TMT/IP — reflecting the depth, consistency, and long-standing strength of the firm’s capabilities.

Meanwhile, Asialaw Profiles 2025 recognised GRATA International as Outstanding in General Business Law and further highlighted strong sector expertise by ranking the firm Highly Recommended in Energy and Recommended in Infrastructure and Oil & Gas.

GRATA International’s Kazakhstan team was also recognised in the IFLR1000 Asia-Pacific 2025 guide, underscoring the firm’s strong capabilities in transactional, financial, and regulatory mandates within the region.

Additional rankings further demonstrate the firm’s leading position in Kazakhstan:

Banking and Finance – Tier 3
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) – Tier 2
Capital Markets – Tier 4
Project Development – Tier 2

These consistent achievements reflect GRATA International’s strong legal talent, sector expertise, and long-standing reputation as a trusted advisor in Kazakhstan and across the wider region.

KEY CONTACTS

Almaty:

phone +7 701 702 5111