Kazakhstan opening up for business

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The oil industry continues to drive business tourism to Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan continues to make a name for itself as a burgeoning business travel destination, with several international companies moving in to claim a piece of the action.

Marriott International and Lufthansa German Airlines have both strengthened their relations with the central Asian nation in recent months.

Marriott has revealed plans to manage a 21-storey 160-unit property in the city of Atyrau - the core of Kazakhstan's oil industry - following an agreement with CP Residential Atyrau LLC, an affiliate of Capital Partners.

The Marriott Executive Apartments will be the anchor of a 19,000-square meter, mixed-use project that will also feature 230m² of office space and 1450m² of retail and F&B outlets. The Renaissance Atyrau Hotel, also managed by Marriott International, is located approximately 800 meters from the site.

"We continue to be excited by our expanding presence in Kazakhstan and, along with Capital Partners, to be able to play a meaningful role in the rapid economic development of the country," said Arne Sorenson, chief financial officer of Marriott International and president of European lodging.

According to Marriott, the one- and two-bedroom Executive Apartments will offer home-comforts plus upscale hotel services for extended-stay travellers, including around-the-clock staffing, housekeeping and laundry services, fully equipped kitchen and dedicated work and relaxation areas.

In the airline sector, national carrier Air Astana has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with German flag carrier Lufthansa.

Customers of both airlines will benefit from code share flights and coordinated flight schedules from the beginning of 2008.

Lufthansa passengers will benefit from better onward connections within Kazakhstan and Central Asia, and Air Astana passengers will have better connections to Lufthansa's worldwide network, in particular, to destinations within Europe, the USA and Canada.

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