Kazakh Parliament Reviews Revised Agreement on Baiterek Space Project

The Majilis is reviewing a bill to ratify a protocol amending the intergovernmental agreement between Kazakhstan and Russia on the Baiterek project at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Orda.kz reports.

The changes involve tax adjustments and an increase in launch activity.

Key updates include:

• Postponement of flight tests from 2023 to 2025
  
• Increase in annual launches from two to three between 2028 and 2039
  
• Introduction of a zero VAT rate for non-residents (the Russian side)
  
• Clarification of corporate income tax conditions for JSC Baiterek: tax preferences will be valid for 15 years starting from the date the Zenit-M complex is withdrawn from lease and the new system is launched

The Baiterek complex is being developed using Baikonur’s existing infrastructure and is intended as an environmentally safer alternative to earlier launch systems. It will support national space initiatives and commercial ventures.

Original Author: Ilya Astakhov