Representatives of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan Visit the AIFC to Study the Experience of creating an international financial centre

A delegation from the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, led by Deputy Head of the Administration Sherzod Ozodzoda, visited the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) to study the practical experience of establishing and developing an international financial centre as part of the creation of the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC).

During the visit, particular attention was given to the AIFC’s institutional architecture, legal framework, and regulatory model, which is based on the principles of English common law and independent financial supervision.

AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov presented the structure of the financial centre, the activities of its bodies, and its key areas of development, highlighting the AIFC’s role as a platform for attracting investment and developing the financial system of Kazakhstan and the region.

At the AIFC Court and the International Arbitration Centre, the delegation was shown the functioning of an independent judicial system, dispute resolution practices, and the enforcement of court and arbitral awards. The importance of legal predictability and judicial independence in strengthening investor confidence was also discussed.

Representatives of the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) briefed guests on the principles of licensing, supervision, tax regime, cross-border transactions, and the development of innovative financial instruments.

As part of the program, the delegation visited the Expat Centre, which operates as a one-stop shop providing administrative support to foreign participants of the AIFC.

A separate session focused on the AIFC Green Finance Centre (GFC) activities. To date, the GFC has verified around 70% of all green bonds and loans issued in Kazakhstan. It has played a key role in developing green finance markets in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, supporting the issuance of the first green bonds in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

During the tour and meetings, participants discussed in detail the establishment of an independent regulatory model, the application of English common law principles, the creation of an effective judicial infrastructure, the development of capital markets and sustainable finance instruments, and interaction with national regulatory authorities

“The AIFC has built a stable institutional and legal environment for attracting investment and developing Kazakhstan’s financial system. In a relatively short period, we have created a full ecosystem with an independent court, regulator, and exchange infrastructure. Since its launch, the financial centre has attracted more than $20 billion in total investments, including direct investment from participants and debt capital. We are ready to share our accumulated experience and practical solutions with our partners in the region,” noted AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov.

The delegation also visited the Museum of Trust, which presents the evolution of Kazakhstan’s economic system and the country’s institutional reforms.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue to demonstrate stable momentum in bilateral cooperation. From January to December 2025, trade turnover between the countries reached $4.8 billion, reflecting a high level of economic interconnection and potential for further investment cooperation.

Within the AIFC jurisdiction, 19 companies with Uzbek capital are registered, operating in financial services, insurance, information and communication technologies, and other sectors.

The visit of the Uzbek delegation reaffirmed the strategic nature of cooperation between the two countries in developing financial markets and building modern institutional infrastructure to attract investment in Central Asia, while emphasizing the importance of expert dialogue and the exchange of practical solutions

The Uzbek delegation’s visit confirmed the strategic nature of the two countries’ cooperation in developing financial markets and establishing a modern institutional infrastructure to attract investment in Central Asia and also emphasized the importance of expert dialogue and the exchange of practical solutions.

Reference:

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction where investors and business meet emerging opportunities of Kazakhstan and Central Asia in a transparent and sustainable environment backed by the principles of English Common Law. www.aifc.kz    

AIFC Press Office,

Ainur Issabayeva, press secretary

E-mail: [email protected]