Laying the first bricks

The special economic zone is targeted to be created on the territory of EXPO-2017 International Specialized Exhibition. The Management Board of the Centre will be formed to be the advisory body of the President on the issues of AIFC. Its general function will be to make recommendations the activities of AIFC. Supervision of AIFC and its members is supposed to be made by the National Bank of Kazakhstan. To ensure the activities of AIFC, the National Bank of Kazakhstan will establish the management company and attract the best professionals.

English Law Isle

It is supposed to create a special legal regime with its own jurisdiction based on English law principles, as well as with foreign judges. AIFC will attract financial institutions of Kazakhstan and following members to its platform:

  • accredited broker companies;
  • investment management companies;
  • companies engaged in auditing and legal advice on the implementation of financial transactions; and
  • infrastructure companies of the securities market.

Taxation

AIFC Participants will be provided with the special taxation procedure. Participants holding the National Bank license will be subject to exemption from corporate income tax for 10 years. Members of AIFC holding the permissive document of the Financial Supervisory Authority will be subject to exemption from corporate and personal income tax for 10 years.

AIFC Infrastructure

An important role in the risk management process will play infrastructure companies. Kazakhstan Stock Exchange will determine the common rules of exchange trade at the AIFC site, as well as the rules for securities transactions. The stock exchange will operate on the basis of a multicurrency settlement system for securities. A single registrar will carry out the issue of securities. The issuer will be able to determine solely the preferable legislation to issue the securities.v

Terms of trade, functioning of risk management and settlement on an organized market are in line with international standards. The law concept provides introduction of trading with securities at a future settlement date. The procedure for the settlement of financial instruments will be developed in the nearest future. The amendments will ensure the continuity of trade and settlement processes as well as reduce market risk in transactions by continuous auction. In order to form a liberal regime on the procedures for issuance, listing and placement of securities, the law concept introduces a notification procedure for registration of securities issues. The draft law highlights the signing of the multilateral memorandum of the International Organization of Securities Commissions IOSCO on mutual understanding on consultation, cooperation and information exchange.

This memorandum provides an international benchmarking for the implementation of cross-border cooperation between the regulators of stock markets in different countries. This will provide for the expansion of opportunities for issuers of Islamic securities, as well as distribution of the deposit guarantee system for Islamic deposits.

Expectations

The draft law is designed to create a center that will provide favorable and attractive environment for the activities of its members in view of its best practices.

Thus, the law concept is supposed to:

  • attract international investors;
  • involve international financia players;
  • increase investment attractiveness;
  • increase GDP;
  • increase international rankings.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.