Kazakhstan Global Investment Forum 2020

Online

Kazakhstan has come a long way in a few short decades. But the ambitious country has much further to go and bigger development dreams to achieve. The world-changing Covid-19 crisis presents both challenges to overcome as well as an opportunity for Kazakhstan to place itself at the heart of the new global economy and accelerate its digital transformation. Since acquiring its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has transitioned to upper-middle-income status, increased GDP per capita significantly and attracted $330 billion in foreign direct investment from more than 120 countries. Now a leading business hub and premier financial centre for the region, Kazakhstan has set its sights on becoming a top global investment destination. Drives toward diversification and digitalisation have opened up sizeable opportunities for foreign investors in such sectors as manufacturing, mining and metallurgy, chemicals, financial services, agro-industry, alternative energy and cleantech, infrastructure, logistics, and digital industries. All this sits against the backdrop of massive changes in global value chains and shifts in trade corridors which Kazakhstan is perfectly primed to take advantage of and which will continue to evolve post-crisis. Large infrastructure development programmes are being carried out to bolster Kazakhstan’s logistics capabilities, and foreign investors have a major role to play through participation in public-private partnerships and other vehicles. The UK is identified as a vital strategic partner for Kazakhstan and the relationship between the two countries has gone from strength to strength in recent years. These links will only grow stronger as both counterparts look to post-pandemic economic recoveries and as the UK seeks to bolster its post-Brexit trade partnerships. The UK’s expertise in Kazakhstan’s key FDI sectors and project management skills are a perfect match for Kazakh resources and ambition; adding the third plank of access to the massive Chinese market makes the prospect of tri-party partnerships particularly exciting and lucrative. New Statesman Media Group, in association with Investment Monitor, is delighted to bring you a unique online event which will outline how strategic investors can partner with Kazakhstan for mutual benefit.The Kazakhstan Investment Forum 2020 is being held alongside the fourth meeting of the Kazakh-British Business Council.