Sanat Ablakov

M&A · Kazakhstan · Manufacturing

Cross-border M&A — Industrial Acquisition

Lead counsel on cross-border acquisition of a Kazakhstan leather processing facility by an Australian strategic investor — full legal support including due diligence, acquisition vehicle structuring, SPA negotiation, and post-closing compliance.

USD 12 million

M&A · Kazakhstan · Oil & Gas

KazMunayGas × CEFC China Energy — M&A

Advising on the acquisition of a 51% stake in KMG International — owning Romania's Petromidia Navodari and Vega Ploiesti refineries plus Eastern European fuel distribution. USD 3.68 billion transaction.

Project Finance · Kazakhstan · Renewable Energy

Moinak Hydro Power Plant

Full-cycle legal support for Kazakhstan's first major hydropower plant since independence — advising CWE (China International Water & Electric) and Samruk-Energo on project structure, financing, and regulatory matters.

USD 360 million

Mining · Kazakhstan · Project Development

Copper Cathode Plant — Project Development

Local counsel advising on all corporate, licensing, regulatory, construction, and project development matters throughout the lifecycle of a 5,000-tonne/year cathode copper processing plant in Karaganda Region.

USD 19.6 million

Project Finance · Kazakhstan · Manufacturing

Investment Contract — Manufacturing Facility

Advised a foreign investor on an investment agreement with the Government of Kazakhstan for a soft drinks plant — tax and customs preferences and state in-kind grants. 2024.

M&A · Kazakhstan · Food & Agro

Savola Foods — CIS Acquisition

Full M&A legal support for Yug Rusi's acquisition of 100% of Savola Foods CIS — a company holding 20% domestic sunflower oil market share — including antitrust clearance.

USD 25 million

Regulatory · Kazakhstan · Energy / Grid

KEGOC — National Grid Due Diligence

Legal audit of Kazakhstan's national electricity grid operator — corporate compliance review, regulatory risk reporting, and advisory on concession and licensing framework for infrastructure investors. USD 13 million mandate.

Corporate · Kazakhstan · Luxury Retail

Chopard Kazakhstan — Distributorship & IP

IP risk management, distributorship contracting, and legal governance for the official CHOPARD distributor (Premium Lux LLP) in Kazakhstan — including trademark protection and exclusive distribution framework.

USD 5 million

AIFC · Astana · Digital Assets / Fintech

AFSA Licensing — Digital Assets & Fintech

Advising multiple international fintech and digital asset operators on AFSA licensing applications — digital asset exchange, payment services, brokerage, and investment management licences — including regulatory correspondence and compliance framework implementation.

Corporate · Kazakhstan · Pharmaceuticals

Macleods Pharmaceuticals — Kazakhstan Entry

Advising Macleods Pharmaceuticals on market entry and regulatory licensing in Kazakhstan — entity formation, pharmaceutical product registration, distribution agreements, and ongoing regulatory compliance advisory.

Corporate · Kazakhstan · Pharmaceuticals

Hetero Labs — Long-term Regulatory Advisory

Long-standing advisory relationship with Hetero Labs / Camber Pharma — providing ongoing corporate, regulatory, dispute resolution, and commercial legal support across Kazakhstan operations.

Dispute Resolution · AIFC · Financial Services

AIFC Court — Dispute Resolution

Representing AFSA-regulated entities in AIFC Court proceedings — appearing before the AIFC Court and advising on enforcement of AIFC Court judgments within Kazakhstan.