Since Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991 foreign companies have shown strong interest in the country. This is mainly due to its boosting oil output: Kazakhstan’s growing petroleum industry accounts for roughly 30% of the country’s GDP and over half of its export revenues, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Responding to the rising demand for local engineering services, technical assurance and consulting company Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has established its local subsidiary Germanischer Lloyd Industrial Services Kazakhstan LLP. From the new office located in Atyrau, GL will be providing verification and certification services, risk and integrity management services, supply chain inspection, materials testing, non-destructive testing services, ISO training and certification as well as GOST-K certification. GOST-K is a document that confirms the quality of products and its compliance with the norms and standards of Kazakhstan. Most of the products imported to Kazakhstan are subject to compulsory GOST-K certification. Currently a team of three, GL Kazakshtan intends to employ up to 12 people and establish a network of 20 to 25 freelancers as per clients needs.