The first meeting of the Council on attracting investors and improving the investment Climate of Almaty was held today under the chairmanship of the Mayor of Almaty city Bakytzhan Sagintayev.

The measures to support investors in the city, as well as the main goals of the Council were presented at the meeting. In the welcoming speech, the city Mayor encouraged to the strengthen the city's ties with partners in the field of investment, healthcare, tourism, as well as to outline future points of growth.

Noting the investment attractiveness of the megalopolis, Bakhytzhan Sagintayev has informed that Almaty ranks first among all other regions of Kazakhstan in doing business according to the World Bank sub-national rating. Following the results of 6 months of this year, the fixed asset investment in Almaty increased by 126.5% and amounted to 460.7 billion tenge. Also, in the fall of last year, Fitch Rating agency confirmed the credit rating of Almaty at the BBB level and assigned a credit rating to JSC SEC Almaty, which acts as an operator in attracting investments at BBB level, which gives a low level of investment risk.

According to the Director of EBRD in Kazakhstan, Agris Preimanis, Council will play a special role and will provide an opportunity to solve a number of problematic issues, including issues of tax and customs administration of foreign investors, procedures for issuing visas and entry permits, creating the necessary infrastructure, introducing the principles of a green economy and increasing the level of digitalization.

We recall that by the order of Mayor of Almaty city, Council's activities were resumed, and the list of participants was renewed that includes representatives of foreign associations, chambers of commerce and financial organizations at the beginning of the year to improve the investment climate in the city. The primary objectives of the Council are to develop recommendations for improving the investment climate, investment strategy and solving problematic issues of foreign investors.