According to the project of the budget for 2004, 4 companies-tax payers to Kazakhstan National fund may remain out of 12

/Kazakhstan today, November 20, 03/ - According to the project of the budget for 2004, 4 companies-tax payers to Kazakhstan National fund may remain out of 12. Director of the Center of social problems analysis Meruert Makhmutova informed about it a correspondent of KZ-today. According to Makhmutova's information, in the project pf the budget for 2004 Don OMPE is excluded because it was joint by Kazakhstan government's decree dated 2001 to TNC "Kazchrome" and is its branch, without foundation of juridical entity. Nonetheless, Makhmutova says, "in 2001 when this list of companies-tax payers to the National fund was formed, Don OMPE was in it, and suddenly in the year 2003 such the lat decision is made, it seems to be doubtful". "As regards companies PetroKazakhstan and Turgai-Petroleu CJSC, explanations in the budget's project are based on prices of oil sale, in presence of which inflows to the budget which are lower than $19 per barrel are planned, that's why over-the-plan inflows to the National fund are not planned", - explained Makhmutovaова. In Makhmutova's opinion, "this argument also can not stand serious criticism. Nothing awful would occur if these companies had remained in the list because this is quite the ordinary case, when oil price constantly changes". At the same time, according to Makhmutova's information, "company "British Petroleum" and Norwegian concern Statoil- sold their stakes in PSA and, it's presumed, the next year there will be no constant payments to the republic's budget". Reasons of exclusion of Kazzinc OJSC and Kazakhmys OJSC, in Makhmutova's opnion, "are based on the fact that inflows are planned on the level of the world prices, on which the situation is rather stable unlike oil market. In accordance with it over-the-plan inflows to the National fund are not planned". Exclusion of TSHO LLP, according to Makhmutova's words, "is explained by switching to rapid method of amortization, and the government accepted it as an argument and also excluded payers to the National fund from the list". If Kazakhstan parliament approves project of the budget for 2004, 4 companies- payers to the National fund out of 12 will remain - Karazhanbasmunai OJSC, Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. JSC", Mangistaumunaigas OJSC and Ozenmunaigas OJSC. In Makhmutova's opinion, "reasons of exclusion of 8 companies-tax payers to the National fund from the list are political rather than economic". As was informed before, republican budget for the year 2004, which the government brought to the parliament for examination, provides for reduction of raw-stuff sector's enterprises, which are payers to the National fund. At present $2.7 bn. have been accumulated in the National fund. [2003-11-20]