Kazakhstan’s growing economy, low property prices and stunning natural beauty is proving to be a very unique opportunity for investors.

The country’s business climate continues to warm to investors from around the world. While a substantial amount of Kazakhstan’s income comes from the growing natural resources sectors, diversification within the economy is being seen in transport, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and food processing. Investments in established and emerging industries are stimulating developments in the country’s real estate sector.

As part of the CBRE affiliate network, Scot Holland/CBRE provides consulting, property, valuation, retail and brokerage services across Kazakhstan and has developed a reputation for delivering quality service and support.

Through the company’s commitment to successfully negotiating assignments and focusing on clients requirements, Scot Holland /CBRE continues to be the ‘Go-to’ property company in Kazakhstan.

‘We are the market leader in Kazakhstan and are committed to providing accurate insights into domestic business developments and the local commercial real estate sector’, says leading property expert Roger Holland; President of Scot Holland/CBRE, author on real estate and investments and Chairman of the British Business Group in Kazakhstan.

With professionally motivated staff located in the heart of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s commercial capital, Scot Holland/CBRE offers an ‘on-the-ground’ understanding of the domestic real estate market. With strong local market knowledge, Scot Holland is able to successfully complete business speedily and effectively.

Current clients include EBRD, HP, Imperial Tobacco, JP Morgan, Malaysian Embassy, Otto, Pfizer, RBS, Shell & Sovico.

‘We possess the ability to meet the needs of corporate and private clients within across Kazakhstan,’ says Holland. ‘We will continue to offer a first class service to our many long standing clients and ensure we deliver the highest quality, client-specific support to individuals and businesses entering the Kazakhstan market’.

Air Astana, the dynamic and growing flagship airline of Kazakhstan, is bringing the world to Central Asia.

Incorporated in 2001, Air Astana’s inauguration was attended by President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Sir Richard Evans of BAE Systems. The sovereign wealth fund of Kazakhstan, Samruk Kayzna and BAE Systems, the original investors, remain committed shareholders of Air Astana to this day, with respective holdings of 51% and 49%.

The mission is: From the Heart of Eurasia, we are building one of the finest airlines in the world. The airline aims to provide profitable domestic and international air services, at the highest standards of safety and service, using latest generation aircraft from Airbus, Boeing and Embraer.

As the leading airline in Central Asia, 2014 marks twelve years since Air Astana’s maiden flight on the 15th May 2002. Committed to serving international customers, the airline is increasing its fleet size, expanding its route network and continuously improving its product offering by operating at the highest international standards from the Heart of Eurasia.

Today, the majority of Air Astana’s 4,300 plus staff are from Kazakhstan. The airline is the only IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registered airline in Kazakhstan. The current fleet of thirty modern aircraft is to be expanded to 36 aircraft by the end of 2017 and 43 aircraft by 2020.

‘Nomad Club’, Kazakhstan’s first Frequent Flyer Program, was introduced by Air Astana. The airline continues to win awards including ‘Best Airline Central and South Asia Airline’ by Skytrax World Airline Awards for the last three years. With its ‘4-Star’ Airline Star Rating by Skytrax Research, Air Astana is also the only 4-Star airline in Eastern Europe and CIS.

Air Astana operates over sixty domestic and international routes to destinations including Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, London and Seoul. Yesterday (December 15), Air Astana also introduced a new route between Astana and Bangkok, to complement the existing service from Almaty. New services to Paris will be launched in 2015.

The distance between Hong Kong and Almaty is 4140 km or 2572 miles. The flight time is 5 hours 55 minutes from Almaty to Hong Kong and 6 hours 45 minutes from Hong Kong to Almaty.

Peter Foster, President of Air Astana, has held previous senior management positions with Cathay Pacific Airways, Philippine Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines. In June this year, under Foster’s leadership, The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) inducted Air Astana as a full member.

‘This momentous occasion marks another milestone in Air Astana’s development’, says Foster. ‘We look forward to contributing meaningfully to the work of AAPA to strengthen the collective standing of Asia Pacific aviation internationally’.

Air Astana’s leadership of E-commerce development in Kazakhstan has resulted in the airline receiving the “E-commerce Market Driver” award at a ceremony marking 20 years of internet service in the country. Air Astana’s total revenue of $87.4 million for 2013 places it by far the biggest source of e-commerce in Kazakhstan.

The 2014 Business Insider Airline Survey has placed Air Astana amongst the world’s Top 20 carriers for the second year in succession, with its ranking improving to 12th compared to 18th in 2013.

This latest ranking places Air Astana ahead of carriers including Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Virgin Australia, Swiss and Austrian.

By combining a solid management approach, a young fleet of aircraft and a network consisting of less congested airports, Air Astana is carving out a sterling reputation for providing a quality in-flight experience and an impressive on-time service record.

As Air Astana continues to build one of the finest airlines in the world, the airline aims to remain a proud Global Ambassador for Kazakhstan.

The ‘Great Silk Way’ which ran through the territory of Kazakhstan, facilitated the sharing of trade, cultural traditions, religious beliefs, knowledge and teaching between China, the Middle East and Europe.

Kazakhstan remains an important bridge between Europe and Asia; and in 1996 in accordance with the decree of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) was established as a National ‘Eurasian’ University.

Named after L. Gumilyov, Eurasian historian, ethnologist, geographer and philosopher, ENU is playing an important role in Kazakhstan’s future.

‘In 18 years since the establishment of the University, we have achieved tremendous success’, – says ENU Rector Yerlan Sydykov. – “Our achievements speak for themselves: in the new rating by an international rating agency «Quacquarelli Symonds» (QS), the University has 32^nd position. The fifty leading universities of the world were included to the rating; the universities established no more than half a century ago in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, European countries were rated. Besides of the above-mentioned, ENU has leading position in Higher Education Institutions Rating: European Standard; the University made it into group ‘’BBB+” Rating – “sufficient high ranking”. The main award in Kazakhstan was given to the University, the Presidential Award “Altyn Sapa” which means the gold standard of quality.”

Currently, there are 16 400 students studying at 64 departments of 13 faculties. 38 research institutes are operating; a star-up zone has been established. The latest pleasant news of the outgoing year was the QS APPLE award, the fourth award given to the University for its achievements in higher education. The news arrived on November 11, 2014 from the city of Taipei (Taiwan Province), where took place the Anniversary Conference 10 QS APPLE – Asia ‘New Directions in Asia-Pacific Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities”.

Concentration of creative and dynamic youth in the University is high. Here are just a few examples: Gulsana Sisengaliyeva synthesized substance with antiradical (antioxidant) activity; a two-time winner of gold medal Alibek Uakpaev; a world-class athlete Anuar Akhmetov, winner of two gold and three silver medals from the II Summer Asian para games; two-time bronze champions of XVII Asian Games in synchronized swimming sisters Yekaterina and Alexandra Nemich; “The Best student 2014” Aybolat Argyngazinov engaged in projects development and expert activities in the field of youth policy.

ENU is consistently and steadily progressing in educational, scientific and cultural terms.

We have successfully participated in global higher education institutions rating surveys and undertaken international scientific and educational projects. Today, through our highly creative scientists and students, ENU is a leading university in Kazakhstan.

ENU is located in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana; a beautiful, modern city filled with Asian-influenced urban architecture, it continues to grow and transform. ENU became one of the first architectural constructions of the young capital and a symbol of the sovereignty of Kazakhstan.

Today, over 650 ENU international students from almost twenty countries actively participate in the cultural, social and political life of Astana.

International cooperation with foreign partners is one of the main strategies of ENU. The University currently cooperates with over 230 global universities through Memorandums of Understanding, Agreements and Student Exchange Programmes.

”International students play an important role in the University life providing intellectual stimulation, as well as creation and maintenance of scientific relations with foreign counterparts”, says Rector Yerlan Sydykov.

ENU has strong cooperation with Chinese universities in the field of educational services. Confucius Institute has been working within the walls of the University from December 2007. In Confucius Institute classes are conducted by highly qualified teachers from the Xi’an University of Foreign Studies. There is a library containing more than 4500 sources, a film club. Exhibitions, contests and competitions in Chinese language are held here, as a part of the Institute’s activity.

ENU has key partnerships with institutions in China including Xian International Studies University, Hong Kong Baptist University, Chinese Secretariat on Chinese language distribution, Xingjiang University of Economics & Finance and Xinjiang University.

ENU meets all major international educational standards. The University provides students with a world-leading educational experience.

ENU will continue to combine the past, the present and the future of Kazakhstan. By protecting and increasing the knowledge of previous generations and delivering high quality education to ambitious students from Kazakhstan and the rest of the world, ENU remains the ‘Center of Eurasian Ideas’.

With economic ambition, political stability, natural resources and a strategic location bridging Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Kazakhstan is building on its reputation as one of the world’s best investment destinations.

As the ninth largest country in the world with a population of 17.3 million, Kazakhstan offers a wealth of opportunities for foreign companies and international investors.

KAZNEX INVEST National Export and Investment Agency (KAZNEX INVEST), is committed to attracting foreign investment into Kazakhstan. The agency delivers consulting services, initial and post-investment support and encourages companies to do business in Kazakhstan. In 2013 KAZNEX INVEST attracted thirteen investors to Kazakhstan amounting to $500 million of investment.

The agency also develops and promotes Kazakhstan’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) which are proving to be strong growth drivers across the country.

‘We are actively creating a positive investment climate in Kazakhstan’, says Nurken Berkinbayev, Managing Director of KAZNEX INVEST. ‘There is increased interest from international investors in the opportunities within the country and today, Kazakhstan is building on its position as a country with very favourable investment conditions’.

Investors are today offered thirty per cent cash back on investments with zero per cent on a range of taxes including VAT and corporate tax for ten years. Investors are also able to bring an unlimited number of employees to work in Kazakhstan.

As the sixth largest country in terms of its mineral resources, oil and other mineral resources generate significant wealth for Kazakhstan. The Head of States objectives for the economic development of the country lie in diversifying Kazakhstan’s economy.

SEZs developed and managed by KAZNEX INVEST have directly improved the country’s investment competitiveness and strengthened key sectors of economy. Established to reduce costs and add value to domestic and multinational companies operating across the country, Kazakhstan’s sector specific SEZs today include: Atyrau – Petrochemical, Aktau – Metalwork, instrumentation, Borovoye – Tourism, Astana – Construction, Pavlodar – Chemistry, Petrochemical, Karaganda – Metallurgy and metalwork, Khorgos – Trade and logistics, Almaty – ICT and IT innovation, Taraz – Chemistry, Shymkent – Textiles.

Kazakhstan continues to actively lead the region in attracting foreign investment and KAZNEX INVEST is successfully assisting Asian investors accessing the Kazakhstan market.

Numerous bilateral trade agreements and missions to China indicate that Chinese investors will play a significant role in the future development of Kazakhstan.

Acknowledging China as one of Kazakhstan’s increasingly important partners, KAZNEX INVEST is actively engaging with the Chinese business and investment communities through its representative office in Beijing. With Hong Kong residents now able to travel to Kazakhstan ‘visa-free’ for 14 days, increased interest in Kazakhstan is expected from Hong Kong: the financial gateway to mainland China.

Future incentives and ambitious large-scale projects will continue to bring investors to Kazakhstan from China and the rest of the world. As Kazakhstan and China build on their strong ties, KAZNEX INVEST’s efforts will undoubtedly result in the ongoing prosperity of Kazakhstan.