Dear readers,
The Senate of Kazakhstan approved a draft law aimed among others at simplifying international electronic documents management1 ("the Draft Law").
The Draft Law introduces the possibility of signing electronic documents with foreign citizens, foreign companies as well as companies with foreign participation using a simple electronic signature (e.g. DocuSign or Adobe Sign).2
Transactions certified by means of a simple electronic signature of a person authorized to sign them would be considered equivalent to documents signed on paper if there is a written agreement between parties on using a simple e-signature and recognition authenticity of transactions concluded by its means.
At the same time, the Draft Law provides for certain exceptions - transactions which cannot be signed with a simple electronic signature. These include transactions subject to notarization or mandatory state registration. The Draft Law also envisages that a list of transactions not covered by the amendments will be approved separately.
It is planned that these changes will be effective within the framework of a pilot project until 1 July 2026. The implementation of a simple electronic signature will allow companies to simplify business operations and increase the Kazakhstan’s attractiveness for foreign investors.
1 Draft law "On introduction of amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on matters of communication, digitalization, improvement of investment climate and elimination of excessive legislative regulation", approved by the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 2 May 2024 (Decree of the RK Senate No. 208-VIII СП dated 2 May 2024);
2 Article 1.35(7) of the Draft Law.