ASTANA (Interfax-Kazakhstan) – Chairman of the Board of National Economic Atameken Union, Ablai Myrzakhmetov said that the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs would be created in summer with mandatory membership.

“We plan the bill to come into effect by July 1, 2013 to institute compulsory membership,” Myrzakhmetov said. According to him, a separate bill will establish the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs co-foundered by the Government of Kazakhstan and Atameken. The ruling on compulsory membership of Kazakh banks in the new chamber will be made by December 10.

This decision is in total contradiction with article 3.1 of the founding chart of Atameken Union which stipulates:

• voluntariness entry and withdrawal of members of the National Union;
• inadmissibility of any forms of intervention in the activity of the National Union and its members from authorities and administrations, public organizations, movements, political parties and separate officials, going beyond the legislation, stipulated by the Republic of Kazakhstan.

National Economic Chamber Atameken Union (NEC Atameken Union) is a non-profit association of Kazakh business entities. The Chamber was formed to coordinate business activities, represent and protect interest of its members. Atameken combines over 180 small, medium and large businesses, as well as industrial, regional and national associations. NEC Atameken manages relations with the public authorities to address concerns of the domestic businesses and improve Kazakhstan’s legal framework regulating business development.