Zhaikmunai has paid over US$1.2bn of taxes since inception to the local and federal government authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

We recognise that we must manage and mitigate any potential risks and impacts associated with our activities to support the communities that may be affected by our operations.

During 2023, Nostrum continued to actively perform charitable activities to support local communities, particularly in the territory of its operations.

The Company’s main activities were to support local communities in the healthcare system, in projects aimed at supporting cultural, sports and educational programs and to involve new communities in the social development of the region (Establishment of the Public Council of Gorbunovo village). In 2023, the company’s charitable expenditures in support of the local communities exceeded US$0.4m. The company’s most significant investments in support of local communities in 2023 were as follows:

• construction of a park in Beles and the planting of fruit trees;
• assisting neighbouring communities to prevent natural disasters during severe weather conditions (blizzards, snowfalls, floods) by providing special machinery and equipment.

• providing funds for repair and improvement of material and technical base for general education schools and preschool institutions, purchase of school supplies for children from large families and low-income families.

• providing financial assistance to young athletes and winners of various intellectual academic competitions to participate in international competitions and contests

• acquisition of medical rehabilitation trainers for Daryinsk Social Services Center, charitable assistance to Disabled People Society;
• allocation of funds for children requiring treatment outside of Kazakhstan;
• financial support in organisation of the regional contest of the best health professionals of West Kazakhstan Region.

Nostrum is committed to transparency in its business activities and payments to governments. We have a formal public relations and government relations procedure that regulates our relationships with the local community and with government, and details how and why we engage with various stakeholder groups.

The Company realises the importance of social partnership between business and society for the sustainable development of the regions of its operation and makes a contribution to ensuring favourable conditions and quality of life in the areas of its core business.

In 2023, a total of US$59.94m (in 2022: US$31.87m) was paid to governments by Nostrum and its subsidiaries. We will report on 2024 payments to governments in the first half of 2025. For more details, please see the Governance page of our website.

Nostrum takes this civic responsibility seriously with the knowledge that paying the right amount of taxes is directly linked to local economic development and the ability of local government to support its residents.

We are committed to partnering with local companies and in 2023 we spent 74.89% (in 2022: 54.25%) of our supplier budget on RoK national suppliers. The increase in percentage is primarily attributed to the relatively lower restructuring advisor fees incurred in 2023 as compared to 2022. In addition, activities such as GTU3 re-start and appraisal programme on the Stepnoy Leopard fields, further contributed to the heightened proportion of spending on RoK national suppliers.

Under the terms of the Chinarevskoye PSA, Nostrum is obliged to accumulate a cash reserve liquidation fund which by the end of the PSA should total US$12.0m earmarked for the elimination of environmental consequences of our operating activities. At the end of 2023, US$8.6m had been accumulated (2022: US$8.2m).

For more information view the Group’s Anti-corruption and bribery policy.