On February 2 in Astana, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted a joint Investment Forum aimed to explore proposals for enhancements to Kazakhstan’s investment legislation and to highlight important achievement supported by the USAID Kazakhstan Rule of Law Program, implemented by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI). The program partnered with the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan and the National Company KAZAKH INVEST under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan reported.
The Supreme Court Chairman Aslambek Mergaliyev inaugurated the Investment Forum, stressing the need for administrative justice and investment jurisdiction reform to attract investors and improve the country’s investment appeal. Over 50 participants, representing the government, judiciary, business community, investors, and local and international experts in Kazakhstan, participated in the Investment Forum. Discussions centered on investment jurisdiction, tax issues, and investment disputes in international arbitrations involving Kazakhstan. The forum allowed investors to express concerns, gain insights, and collaborate on recommendations to improve investment dispute resolution.
At the forum, US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum stated, “Today’s Investment Forum organized by the American Bar Association is yet another example of the long-term and very strong U.S.-Kazakhstan partnership in support of the rule of law, as it relates to economic policy, foreign investment, and the business climate. I am pleased that this forum will be repeated next year as well, providing an ongoing platform for discussions on issues that are important to foreign investors. We also mark the conclusion of the USAID Rule of Law Program in Kazakhstan, which over the past four years has helped improve the legal environment for protecting investments and strengthen the professional development and independence of Kazakhstan’s judiciary.”
