AIFC and MFA adopted joint Roadmap
In order to discuss ways of actively attracting foreign partners to participate in the activities of the Astana International Financial Centre
(AIFC), a meeting was held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kairat Abdrakhmanov and the AIFC Governor Kairat Kelimbetov. The management and responsible staff of the two structures outlined plans for the further promotion of the AIFC in the international arena and specific areas of cooperation with foreign institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan for the coming years.
K. Abdrakhmanov noted that after the official opening of the Astana International Financial Centre on July 5, 2018, the scope of work and the range of tasks for the further development of the Centre significantly increased. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready to provide the necessary assistance in establishing links between the AIFC and counter-partners, in providing support to the AIFC’s efforts through Islamic finance, green technologies, holding round tables, press tours, as well as promoting the AIFC image abroad,” the Foreign Minister said.
K. Kelimbetov thanked the foreign affairs agency for the assistance rendered during the formation of the AIFC, noted the significant role of Kazakhstani diplomats in the development of the Center. He also informed the participants of the meeting about the current state of affairs at the AIFC, the course of development of the exchange and other issues.
The agreements reached at the meeting were secured by the signing of the Roadmap of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the AIFC on the development and promotion of the Centre. This document provides the holding of information and image events, the establishment of cooperation between the AIFC and international financial organizations for its further development using all the tools of the foreign ministry.
In particular, as part of the Roadmap, briefings on the AIFC activities for representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan will be held; developed a joint media plan; it is planned to conduct work to attract new global participants. A separate area of work will be the preparation of the procedure for identifying foreign citizens and its implementation for issuing IIN, EDS and the AIFC Electronic Resident card to foreign citizens outside the Republic of Kazakhstan as part of the e-Resident project. The issues of visa support and regulation of the stay in Kazakhstan of foreign employees of the Centre will also be in the focus of attention.
According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the issue of development of the AIFC is extremely important in terms of its importance in transforming Astana into a regional financial capital. This is a completely new industry, which is designed to become a driver for the economy of Kazakhstan. In the Annual Presidential Address of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, it is emphasized that “all state bodies and national companies should actively use this platform and promote its rapid establishment and development”.
