Sumitomo Corporation

Kazakhstan

: February 26, 2010

Sumitomo Corporation Astana Office

Assan Izbassov

+ Office :: Astana

* Job :: Provision of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and line pipes

* Hobby :: Reading, cycling, swimming, and traveling

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Could you tell me about Kazakhstan?: Kazakhstan is a resource-rich country that supports chemical-related industries based on its uranium and rare earth materials deposits as well as oil, natural gas, and metals industries. It is a big country and also grows grain, some of which is exported. Its manufacturing industry is being strengthened thanks to government support. Against this background, the Sumitomo Corporation Group has operations involving nuclear energy, telecommunication, tubular products, and chemicals.

A square located in the center of Astana, where the office will be relocated.

What's the Astana Office like?: At the moment, we have a staff of four. Being a small team, we have to cooperate closely with each other. We trust each other and I think that helps us to communicate. We established JV "Summit Atom Rare Earth Company" with Kazakhstan National Atomic Company Kazatomprom for rare earth production and we would like to increase our staff to around 10 people after company registration.

This is a pipe yard on the coast of the Caspian Sea in western Kazakhstan. The OCTG made by Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. can be seen in the background.

Have you had any impressive experiences with the Japanese staff?: When I was skiing with a Japanese colleague at a mountain near Almaty (a city in southern Kazakhstan), I lost my balance and hurt my leg. My colleague usually speaks English, but when this happened he reverted to Japanese as he desperately sought help from people around us. I suppose he panicked! Of course, you cannot communicate with Kazakhs in Japanese. However, thanks no doubt to his sheer determination, I was taken to hospital and have now completely recovered from the injury.

A national park called Borovoye, located within a few hours' drive from Astana. We go there to recharge our batteries.

What do you think about the Sumitomo mindset and style of working?: I think that as a Japanese firm with a long tradition, the company has a solid corporate culture. It's a big company, but the feeling of unity among employees is so strong that it feels more like a family. We can get all kinds of help when we need it and never hesitate to ask for advice. The company also has a clear corporate philosophy, including the principle such as "never pursue easy gains," set out in the "Sumitomo Business Spirit". Kazakhstan only started to become fully engaged in the business world after the disintegration of the Soviet Union and so as a country it still doesn't have a comprehensive set of ideas that could be called a philosophy. I think Sumitomo's presence is enlightening not only for the people who work for the company but also for Kazakhstan as a whole.