The Lord Mayor enjoyed a successful visit to Kazakhstan

The Lord Mayor enjoyed a successful visit to Kazakhstan, travelling to both Almaty and Astana from the 26-30th June. The main purpose of The Lord Mayor's visit was to promote the City of London as the world's leading International Financial Centre as well as promote UK Financial and Business Services. The Lord Mayor's visit assists in the development of greater trade and investment between the two countries and to promote English Law within the region, the press service of the UK Embassy in Kazakhstan said.  .

In Almaty, there were a series of events designed to support British business and investment:

•  The Lord Mayor attended the CityUK "Unlocking Disputes" Law event, increasing awareness of London as a leading centre for dispute resolution.
•  During a roundtable chaired by Chingiz Kanapyanov, Deputy Chairman at Committee for the Regional Financial Center of Almaty (RFCA), National Bank of Kazakhstan, he shared experience and expertise with Almaty in its aim to become a Regional Financial Centre. Discussion centred on the new and improved legal and regulatory framework that Almaty needs to put in place to make it a successful Regional Financial Centre.
•  The Lord Mayor also promoted the expertise and experience of the City of London in the context of Kazakhstan's forthcoming People's IPO programme.
•  During his stay in Almaty, The Lord Mayor had calls with senior members of the Kazkahstani government including the Almaty City Akim, Mr Akhmetzhan Yesimov and the Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, Mr Grigory Marchenko.

The Lord Mayor then travelled to Astana, for a series of events focussing on UK expertise in the Education and Training Sector.

•  The Lord Mayor opened a reception at Nazarbayev University and celebrated British-Kazakh partnerships in education with BG and University College London. This event was hosted with the President of Nazarbayev University, Mr Shigeo Katsu.
•  The British Law Association held a "Dispute Resolution and Arbitration" Law event attended by the Lord Mayor at which he emphasised the benefits of the UK rule of law and good corporate governance in terms of establishing and sustaining a strong investment climate.
•  The Investment climate in Kazakhstan was discussed by the Lord Mayor at a roundtable with Shell, BG, Rolls Royce, HSBC, Invensys, and Ernst & Young. Key issues raised were concern about new laws, creating favourable conditions for SMEs and investing in the training and development of skilled local personnel.
•  The Lord Mayor made several calls on important government officials, including the Astana City Deputy Akim, Mr Yerlan Kozhagapanov; Chairman of Samruk Kazyna, Mr Umirzak Shukeyev; Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Bakytzhan Sagintayev; His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Kairat Kelimbetov and His Excellency Prime Minister Karim Massimov.
•  A final reception was held to celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic figures in Astana and award the Mansion House Scholar, Mr Azat Abdibekov.

At the close of his visit, The Lord Mayor commented:

"As President Nazarbayev said in March, there are no problems that cannot be solved through constructive dialogue, mutual benefit and broad co-operation. I agree - and through that dialogue we can build prosperity for both our countries."

The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London's visit was proudly sponsored by: BG, Shell, Ernst & Young, HSBC, Grata, Norton Rose, Winston & Strawn and Lloyd's Register.