Astana continues to lead among financial centres in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region

According to the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 38), Astana has once again retained its position as the leading financial centre in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. The city has maintained its regional leadership for the past 2.5 years, outperforming financial centres such as Istanbul, Warsaw, Prague, Tallinn, Riga, Cyprus, St Petersburg, Moscow, Almaty, and others. In the overall global ranking, Astana was placed 68th among 120 financial centres. 

The GFCI publishes two reports annually, tracking the progress of the world’s leading financial centres. The GFCI rating serves as a global benchmark for assessing financial centres and is developed in partnership with the China Development Institute (CDI) in Shenzhen and Z/Yen Partners in London. It provides a comprehensive assessment of financial centres, considering diverse criteria such as the business environment, financial sector, infrastructure, human capital and city reputation. 

The 38th edition of the GFCI assessed a total of 135 financial centres, with 120 included in the main index. The ranking is based on 140 macroeconomic indicators and 28,000 assessments provided by 4,800 respondents of the GFCI online survey. Macro indicators are provided by leading international organisations such as the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations (UN). 

It is noteworthy that Astana first entered the GFCI ranking in March 2018, with its regional leadership recognised in March 2023. Its inclusion in this ranking was the result of the activity of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The Centre plays a key role in enhancing Kazakhstan’s investment attractiveness and strengthening its position as a regional hub. It supports businesses in attracting capital by offering favourable environment with regulation based on the best international standards, a robust financial framework, an independent judicial system, and the advancement of innovation and financial technologies. The AIFC continues to serve as a focal point for new market participants engaged in business transactions and financial operations. 

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The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is a leading financial hub in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, designed to connect global capital with the vast opportunities of emerging markets. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the AIFC combines international best practices with innovative approaches to create a world-class platform for investment, business, and financial services. Since its establishment in 2018, the AIFC has attracted over USD 17 bln in investments into Kazakhstan’s economy. Over 4300 companies from 85 countries, including the USA, the UK, China, Turkiye, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and others, are registered within the AIFC’s jurisdiction.  www.aifc.kz      

AIFC Media Relations 

Ainur Issabayeva, Press secretary 

Phone: +7 701 777 6558 

E-mail: [email protected]