President of Bulgaria Was Briefed on Activities of the AIFC
On June 9, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, currently on an official visit to Kazakhstan, visited the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). Renat Bekturov, Governor of the AIFC, presented the key areas of the Centre’s operations and its results, with a particular focus on opportunities for attracting investment, structuring deals, and conducting business.
As of today, more than 3,900 companies from over 80 countries are registered at the AIFC. Through its platform, the Centre has facilitated the inflow of over USD 14.8 billion in investments into the Kazakhstan economy.
President Radev was also introduced to the work of the AIFC Expat Centre, which operates as a one-stop shop to create favorable conditions for the entry and stay of foreign professionals and their families in Kazakhstan.
The Bulgarian President further was familiarized with the activities of the AIFC’s regulator, the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA), which develops an advanced legal environment based on the principles of English common law. He also learned about the unique institutions for Central Asia – the AIFC Court and the International Arbitration Centre.
Background information: The gross inflow of foreign direct investment from Bulgaria into Kazakhstan from 2005 to 2024 totaled USD 76.3 million. Bilateral trade turnover reached USD 375.2 million last year – nearly a fourfold increase compared to 2023. Currently, 61 companies with Bulgarian participation operate in Kazakhstan. Additionally, one Bulgarian company – Geops Exploration Kazakhstan Ltd., operating in the mining sector – is registered under the AIFC jurisdiction.
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 14.8 bln in investments into Kazakhstan’s economy. Over 3,900 companies from 80+ 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
