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Astana International Financial Centre51°05′28.5″N 71°24′46.1″E / 51.091250°N 71.412806°E
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is a financial hub in Astana, Kazakhstan that officially launched on July 5, 2018.[2] The Constitutional Statute "On the Astana International Financial Centre" approved on 7 December 2015 provides a legal framework for the functioning of the AIFC as well as a favourable environment for its participants.[3] The Astana International Financial Centre is widely recognized as the financial institution and a hub for finance in the region encompassing Central Asia and Eastern Europe. [4] Specially designed conditions, such as regulation in accordance with the highest international standards, a robust financial infrastructure, an autonomous judicial system, and an emphasis on innovation and expertise, are employed to enable businesses to attract capital. HistoryNursultan Nazarbayev announced the “100 Concrete Steps” Plan of the Nation to implement the five institutional reforms, designed to provide a strong national platform needed to achieve country's ambition of joining the top 30 developed countries by 2050.[5] As part of the Plan of the Nation, the AIFC was established with a special legal status to be based on the EXPO-2017 International Specialized Exhibition infrastructure.[6] The Astana International Financial Centre is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative's financial infrastructure.[7]: 154 It increases financial connectivity among Central Asia, China, Russia, and the Arab world. As of August 2024, over 3 000 companies are registered with AIFC, reaching a historical maximum of over 600 new registrations in 2023 alone, including leading financial firms, global service providers, cryptocurrency exchanges, venture capital companies and regional development banks. Prominent firms such as KPMG, EY, PwC, Deloitte, Binance, Bybit, Most Ventures, Amicorp, China Construction Bank Corporation, and China Development Bank are part of the AIFC’s ecosystem.[8] AIFC has steadily emerged as a significant platform, not only for Kazakhstan but for the entire Central Asian region, establishing itself as a dynamic hub for finance and investment. In particular, as of the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) 35, the AIFC ranked first in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, solidifying its position as a leading financial centre in the region.[9] Additionally, topping the region in the Global Green Finance Index (GGFI) 12 showcases our commitment to sustainable finance and environmental responsibility.[10] AIFC bodiesAIFC Management CouncilIt is a supreme authority that includes high-profile leaders of global financial corporations and is chaired by the President of Kazakhstan. The main objectives of the Management Council include the determination of the strategic directions for the AIFC development and the assistance in the development of the favourable conditions for the formation of a leading financial centre. AIFC Development strategy was determined by the Management Council during its first meeting on 26 May 2016.[11] AIFC AuthorityThe AIFC Authority was established on 28 December 2015 and is responsible for the development of the overall strategic plan, promotion of the AIFC in the global markets, attraction of the potential participants to the AIFC. Astana International Exchange (AIX)The Astana International Exchange (AIX) was established in 2017 as part of the AIFC. AIX was created to develop the public equity and debt capital markets in Kazakhstan and Central Asian region.[12] AIX is regulated by the Astana Financial Services Authority, an independent regulator established within the AIFC.[12] AIX shareholders include the AIFC, Goldman Sachs GS, the Shanghai stock exchange, and China's Silk Road Fund. Nasdaq NDAQ is behind the AIX trading platform.[13] Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA)An independent regulator of the AIFC that was established under the Constitutional Statute of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Astana International Financial Centre” to regulate financial services and related activities in the AIFC. The AFSA's purpose is to facilitate business by maintaining the safety and robustness of the AIFC financial system, ensuring that financial markets in the AIFC are fair, efficient, and transparent. The AFSA's regulatory remit includes financial and market services in banking, insurance, capital markets, Islamic finance, fintech, as well as ancillary services.[14] AIFC Court and International Arbitration CentreSimilar to International Commercial Courts in Dubai, Qatar and Singapore, the AIFC Court provides a common law court system for the resolution of civil and commercial disputes within the AIFC. It exclusively oversees all legal matters stemming from the AIFC and its activities, as well as other disputes where all involved parties expressly consent in writing to the jurisdiction of the AIFC Court. Inside Kazakhstan, the establishment of a common law court in a civil law system has provoked fierce criticism.[15] The International Arbitration Centre, on the other hand, offers an alternative to court litigation and offers arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution methods. It shall review disputes which the parties have agreed shall be settled by arbitration. The opening ceremony of the AIFC International Arbitration Centre (IAC) was held in July 2019 during the Astana Finance Days conference in Astana.[16] AIFC AcademyThe AIFC Academy focuses on human capital development in Kazakhstan's financial industry. It provides specialized training and certification programs in finance, business, and international law. Additionally, the Academy enhances professional skills through various initiatives and collaborates with universities both domestically and internationally to foster continuous learning and develop a highly skilled workforce for the AIFC ecosystem and beyond.[17] LanguageEnglish is the official language on the AIFC territory. Priority SectorsEquities TradingThe AIFC has partnered with NASDAQ and the Shanghai Stock Exchange.[18] The AIFC is the shareholder of the Astana International Exchange (AIX) that was established in 2017. AIX's first trading session was held on November 14, 2018, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of tenge, the national currency of Kazakhstan. The session was opened by Nursultan Nazarbayev.[19] As of 2024 the AIFC has successfully attracted more than $11,9 billion to the Kazakh economy.[20] Approximately 40% of these funds were raised on the AIX, while 60% of these funds were accumulated by direct investments of AIFC participants. Green TechnologyThe AIFC provides structural framework for the advancement of green finance. To that end, the centre launched the AIFC Green Finance Centre to develop and promote green finance in Kazakhstan and neighboring countries.[21] In 2023, GFC verified around 60% of green bonds and loans in Kazakhstan, demonstrating its significant influence in the broader Central Asian region. GFC is the only company in Central Asia accredited by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) and the Climate Bonds Initiative.[22] AFSA FinTech LabFinTech Lab is a tailored live environment, where firms can offer innovative financial and RegTech services without being immediately subject to the full set of regulatory requirements. FinTech Lab allows:
Islamic FinanceThe AIFC provides legal framework for Islamic Finance, including Islamic Banking Business and other activities carried out in accordance with the principles of Shari’ah. In February 2024, the AIFC expanded the list of financial services which its resident companies can provide to clients in Kazakhstan. Now Islamic finance services can be provided to individuals and legal entities in any currency not only by Islamic banks and Islamic insurance companies, but also by Islamic financial institutions for consumer finance, installment financing, Islamic leasing, trade finance.[24] To attract companies to AIFC, the minimum authorised capital requirements for Islamic banks and financial organisations have been reduced until May 2026. Additionally, financial companies licensed by the AIFC regulator are exempt from paying CIT and VAT, including Islamic banking, non-banking, Islamic insurance, and reinsurance companies.[25] The AIFC’s initiatives aimed at the development and promotion of the Islamic finance industry have allowed Kazakhstan to enter the prestigious global rankings in this area. According to the Global Islamic Finance Report (GIFR), in 2022 Kazakhstan ranked 18th in the index, ahead of countries such as the UK, the USA, Singapore, China, as well as 14th position in the Global Report on the Islamic Economy (GIEI) index. Currently in the AIFC are registered several companies which provide services in the field of Islamic banking and financing, consulting in the field of Shari’ah and Islamic fintech (Al Saqr Islamic Bank, Alif Islamic Bank, Kazakhstan Islamic Finance Company, etc.).[26] Asset managementThe AIFC has created a legal framework for asset management in various formats. Asset management includes, among other things, collective investment management, investment management, fund management support, investment advisory services, investment transaction management, and management of multilateral and organised trading platforms.[27] This sector demonstrates rapid growth. The volume of assets under management (AUM) in the AIFC increased by 82% from USD 585 million at the beginning of 2023 to USD 1 billion at the end of the same year. The number of registered funds increased in 2023 from 20 to 37. The volume of investment funds’ assets under management amounted to USD 616 million.[28] References
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