Экономические науки/корпоративное управление 

Ерменова Ш. Г.

Казахстанско-Британский Технический Университет, Республика Казахстан

Corporate governance in term of Custom Union

Corporate governance as part of management exists long time ago, but the basic mechanisms were formed relatively recently… 

         Corporate governance as part of management exists long time ago, but the basic mechanisms were formed relatively recently. 1999 year can be considered as a major milestone - the time when the standard OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) was adopted, which sets out the basic principles of corporate management. [3] In Kazakhstan, the corporate form of ownership had appeared relatively recently. We have not yet acquired our own experience of managing public companies, experience of the problems, associated with the different interests of owners and managers, the protection of the rights and property of the shareholders. After more detailed investigation of this issue, it can be concluded that in Kazakhstan corporate governance is at an early stage of development.

For more precise understanding of necessity of introduction ubiquitous corporate governance, it is necessary to analyze the positive and negative aspects of corporate ownership. Positive economic effects of corporate governance system for companies and the whole economy include [1]:

1)   reduction of corruption;

2)   improvement of the quality of management;

3)   capability of preventing the crisis, even in those countries where shares of most companies are traded in the stock market inactively;

4)   in countries with a developed system of corporate governance, where acts strong protection system of the minority shareholders’ interests, i.e. the shareholders owning at least 10 % of the shares, capital markets are larger and more liquid. This stimulates employment and economic growth of the country as a whole.

With regard to minuses of applying by companies principles of corporate governance can be distinguished following disadvantages which constrain the process of development of corporate governance:

1)   double taxation of owners of corporate associations: shareholder’s income actually taxed twice - at first as corporate income and then as income of individuals – shareholders;

2)   more strict regulation and control of corporate activity rather than an individual business or partnership;

3)   corporate governance allows major shareholders more effective levers of power, while for the small and medium-sized owners there is no such possibility;

4)   at insufficient development of legal base in Kazakhstan, corporate governance encounters a number of challenges in case of disagreement between shareholders, managers and the stakeholders. [3]

Unequivocally, that the state has some problems of development of corporate ownership. What the reason of their appearance?

So, can be distinguished following reasons which prevent the growth of level of the corporate governance:

1) weakness, inefficiency and corruption of the state and the judiciary;

2) insufficient development of the stock market;

3) weak and inefficient development of financial market in Kazakhstan, consequently stock prices do not reflect the real value of the company and the market of corporate control.

It should be noted that the development of corporate governance in Kazakhstan constrained by unfavorable to business public policy. For example, increasing the transparency unprofitable, as information openness makes company more vulnerable in front of regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies.

In general, the insufficient development of corporate governance system entails the inability to attract investment, bankruptcy, violation of rights and other problems of economic development faced by different countries of the world.

In this perspective, the Customs Union - is an attempt of post-Soviet countries to create   most favored zone for their own business. Using tariff, Kazakhstan, firstly invites foreign investors, secondly within the union will attempt to reach a new level of competitiveness.

So, the creation of the Customs Union is a great incentive for the development of corporate governance. Customs Union makes Kazakhstan very attractive for investment. Companies that complies the standards of corporate governance, have an undoubted advantage in attracting investments (e.g. through the IPO). Investors believe that good corporate governance provides the honesty and transparency of management of the company; there for the risk of loss is substantially reduced.

The country entered into the Customs Union with Russia and Belarus, thereby put their producers in equal conditions with domestic producers. Entrance to the World Trade Organization isn't far. All of this raises the required level of effective management of the companies.

However, it is important to understand that support is required by the state. Despite the fact that Kazakhstan received a huge market about 180 million potential consumers, small and medium enterprises is not able to work effectively and be competitive. According to statistics, over two months of 2012, export decreased by 21 %, while import grew by 29 %. [4] The main product for export still remains raw materials. Kazakhstan imports finished products: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products and metal products. [4] Based on the above data, Kazakhstan at this stage has some problems related to coming into the Customs Union. After all, corporate governance in the participating countries of the association is at a high level, in comparing with the development of the corporate form of ownership in Kazakhstan.

Among politicians, business leaders and the general public grows recognition that corporate governance is an essential instrument to improve the work of companies and achieving faster development of a market democracy. Potential gains from management reform in Kazakhstan are huge. [3] Creation of strong markets with well-developed organizational structure and the introduction of the principles of corporate governance in companies of any type will stimulate further growth of investment, trade and business.

Conclusion

In this paper were identified the strengths and weaknesses of the corporate form of ownership, level of corporate governance in Kazakhstan was analyzed in the scope of the Customs Union and were identified causes of problems of effective management of companies.

As the key directions of solving existing problems can be identified:

1) Adoption of corporate governance principles in Kazakhstan;

2) Improving the structure of the company's management;

3) Improving the property management;

4) Expansion and control information transparency of the company;

5) Development of the stock market and other financial markets;

6) Settlement of corporate conflicts.

Useful resources:

[1] -Transparency International-Kazakhstan/USAID, Educational Anticorruption Program (EAD) http://www.transparencykazakhstan.org/UserFiles/file/95i.pdf

[2] - http://bibliotekar.ru/biznes-64/58.htm

[3] – Corporate governance: Kazakh context

http://www.cipe-eurasia.org/articles/Kaz_CG_Text.pdf

[4] – Kazakh Telegraph Agency

http://www.kaztag.kz/ru/interviews/97023