Business Development Kazakhstan

Buy a Business in Kazakhstan

Buying an operating business can be faster than building one — if you know what you are buying. Debts, disputes, land held in breach of the rules or a missing approval can come with the shares. BDK checks the target before you commit, structures the deal with our lawyer and stays through closing and handover.

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Audience

Who this is for

Strategic buyers entering the market

You want an operating company with customers, staff, licences or premises instead of starting from zero.

Investors buying a stake

You are acquiring a share in a Kazakhstan company and need to understand control, liabilities and exit rights.

Buyers of plants, warehouses and other assets

You want the assets without the company's history, or need to compare an asset deal with a share deal.

Scope

What's included — and what isn't

Included

Target screening against your investment criteria
Register checks: status, ownership, tax, enforcement and court records
Legal due diligence: corporate documents, contracts, licences, title to assets
Land and property due diligence, including the rules for foreign participation
Financial and tax due diligence with specialist partners
Share deal or asset deal comparison and deal structure
Competition approval check for the transaction
Term sheet, purchase or shareholder agreement drafting and negotiation
Closing checklist, registration of changes and management handover

Not included

Brokerage fees from sellers — we act only for the buyer
Business valuation opinions by licensed appraisers — arranged with partners if needed
Guarantees about the target's future performance
Financing of the acquisition

Route

Typical route and timing

Timing depends on the seller's readiness to disclose information, the size of the target, whether the deal needs competition approval and how quickly conditions are met.

Criteria and screening

Agree what you want to buy and screen targets or assets.

2–6 weeks
First checks and approach

Register checks, NDA and first information from the seller.

1–3 weeks
Due diligence

Legal, financial, tax, land and property review; management interviews.

Typically 3–8 weeks
Structure and approvals

Share or asset deal, holding structure and required approvals.

In parallel
Negotiation and signing

Price mechanics, warranties, conditions and protections.

Depends on the deal
Closing and handover

Conditions met, payment, registration of changes, bank and management handover.

Final stage

Risks

Risks and decision points

Liabilities come with the shares

In a share deal the company keeps its debts, tax exposure and disputes. Due diligence and contractual protections decide who bears them.

Land the company cannot hold after the deal

A company with foreign participation cannot own or use agricultural land and cannot own land in the border zone. Check the target's land before signing.

Other participants' rights

In a limited liability partnership, other participants and the charter can restrict the sale of a share to a third party, including through a pre-emptive right. Check the charter before agreeing terms.

Competition approval

Acquiring more than 50% of a company's voting shares or participation interests is an economic concentration under the Entrepreneurial Code; above statutory thresholds the competition authority must consent in advance.

Licences and contracts that do not transfer

Some licences, permits and key contracts depend on the current owner or need consent to a change of control.

Documents

Documents and information we will need

Investment criteria: sector, size, region, budget
Targets or assets you have already identified
Seller's information memorandum or data room access, if any
Planned buyer and holding structure
Financing plan

Due Diligence in Kazakhstan

Company Registration in Kazakhstan

Find a Business Partner in Kazakhstan

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Share deal or asset deal?

A share deal keeps licences, contracts and staff in place but brings the company's history with it. An asset deal leaves liabilities behind but requires transferring each asset, contract and permit. The choice follows from due diligence.

Can a foreigner buy 100% of a Kazakhstan company?

In most sectors, yes, although some regulated sectors limit foreign ownership. Land follows separate rules: a company with foreign participation can own land for industrial and commercial buildings, but it cannot own or use agricultural land, and it cannot own land in the border zone.

Does the deal need competition approval?

It may. Buying control of a company is an economic concentration, and above statutory thresholds it needs the competition authority's prior consent. We check this early because it affects the timetable.

How much does due diligence cost?

The fee is agreed with you before work starts, based on the target and the scope.

Considering Kazakhstan?

Tell us what you want to build. We will tell you what it actually takes — the steps, the risks, and the realistic timeline — before you commit capital.