Kazakhstan has come a long way in a few short decades. But the ambitious country has much further to go and bigger development dreams to achieve. The world-changing Covid-19 crisis presents both challenges to overcome as well as an opportunity for Kazakhstan to place itself at the heart of the new global economy and accelerate its digital transformation.
Since acquiring its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has transitioned to upper-middle-income status, increased GDP per capita significantly and attracted $330 billion in foreign direct investment from more than 120 countries. Now a leading business hub and premier financial centre for the region, Kazakhstan has set its sights on becoming a top global investment destination.
Drives toward diversification and digitalisation have opened up sizeable opportunities for foreign investors in such sectors as manufacturing, mining and metallurgy, chemicals, financial services, agro-industry, alternative energy and cleantech, infrastructure, logistics, and digital industries.
All this sits against the backdrop of massive changes in global value chains and shifts in trade corridors which Kazakhstan is perfectly primed to take advantage of and which will continue to evolve post-crisis. Large infrastructure development programmes are being carried out to bolster Kazakhstan’s logistics capabilities, and foreign investors have a major role to play through participation in public-private partnerships and other vehicles.
The UK is identified as a vital strategic partner for Kazakhstan and the relationship between the two countries has gone from strength to strength in recent years. These links will only grow stronger as both counterparts look to post-pandemic economic recoveries and as the UK seeks to bolster its post-Brexit trade partnerships. The UK’s expertise in Kazakhstan’s key FDI sectors and project management skills are a perfect match for Kazakh resources and ambition; adding the third plank of access to the massive Chinese market makes the prospect of tri-party partnerships particularly exciting and lucrative. New Statesman Media Group, in association with Investment Monitor, is delighted to bring you a unique online event which will outline how strategic investors can partner with Kazakhstan for mutual benefit.
This event will gather over 200 senior executives from across such sectors as manufacturing, agro-industry, financial services, chemicals, mining and metallurgy, alternative energy and clean tech, infrastructure, logistics, and digital industries, as well as financiers, private equity investors and those from financial and professional services firms.
Complimentary places are available to:
- C-Level executives including CEOs/CFOs and other top management
- Directors and Heads of Investment, Trade, Strategy, Growth, Operations and International Expansion
- Senior Partners
If this fits your profile, please apply for your complimentary place. The Kazakhstan Global Investment Forum 2020 team will inform you shortly if your application is approved.
for attendees



General information, education
Born on June 30, 1968. Graduated from the Philosophy and Economics Faculty of S. Kirov Kazakh State University, completed an internship at the Institute of Asian and African Studies of Lomonosov Moscow State University and Language Institute of Yonsei University (Republic of Korea.) Speaks English and Korean.
CareerAfter graduation worked at the Departments of History of Philosophy and Chinese Philology of Al-Farabi Kazakh State University.
Began his diplomatic service at the MFA of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1993 with the office of Attaché, during his career at the Central Office worked as a Third secretary at the Asia Division, First secretary at the Asia, Middle East and Africa Department, Head of Divison at the Bilateral Cooperation Department. Worked abroad as a Second secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Korea and a Counselor in the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the State of Israel.
Worked as an Adviser to the Secretary of State at the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2003 was appointed Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In 2004 was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Malaysia and since 2005 with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of the Philippines.
In 2009 was appointed to the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Swiss Confederation and with concurrent accreditation to the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Vatican City State, as well as of the Permanent Representative of the Republic Kazakhstan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. In 2015 was accredited as the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan with concurrent accreditation to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta.
From 2016 to 2019, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Since 18 September, 2019 - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Awarded with medal “For Distinguished Labor" (2014) and other anniversary medals. Awarded with Letters of Appreciation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2003, 2010).
Holds a diplomatic rank of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

He was born on December 15, 1950 in Almaty region.
In 1974 he graduated from the Kazakh Agricultural Institute with major in Mechanization of Agricultural Production Processes.
In 1991 graduated from socio-political faculty of the Russian Academy of Social Sciences with major in Theory of Sociopolitical Relations. He received PhD in Economics in 1999.
1990 – First Deputy Chairman of Gosagroprom of the Kazakh SSR, and in 1991 — the First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of Kazakh SSR
1991-1992- Chairman of Almaty Oblast Congress of People’s Deputies
1992 - 1994 – Head of Alma-Ata regional administration
1994 - 1996 - Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan
1996 – 1998 - State Secretary of the Republic of Kazakhstan, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Chairman of the State Committee on Investments, Head of Administration of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
1998 – 2001 - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Benelux countries (The Kingdom of Belgium, The Kingdom of the Netherlands and The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg). He also headed the Representative Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the EU and the NATO.
2001 – 2006 – Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Since January 2006 through April 2008 - Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Since April 2008 through August 2015 - Mayor of Almaty, Chairman of Almaty affiliate of Nur Otan Party
Since August 2015 through December 2017 –Chairman of the Management Board of NC Astana EXPO – 2017 JSC
Since December 2017 – Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna JSC
Mr Yessimov is the awardee of Kazakhstan Labor Hero, Badge of Honor, Friendship Order, Otan Order, Parasat Order.

Education:
- Kazakh National University named after Al`-Farabi, Jurisprudence;
- Market Institute under Kazakh State Management Academy, Finance;
- Kazakh Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research (KIMEP), Master of Public Administration.
Experience:
1994-1998 – National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, economist Department Deputy Director
1998-1999 – “KazTransOil” JSC, manager
1999-2000 – Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Department Deputy Director
2000-2002 – “Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan” JSC, CEO Adviser
2002-2004 – “Development Bank of Kazakhstan”, Managing Director, 1st Vice-President
2004-2005 – “Ordabasy” Corporation”, President
2005-2006 - Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on regulation of the activities of the regional financial center of Almaty.
2006-2007 - “Development Bank of Kazakhstan” JSC, President, Chairman of the Board
2008-2013 - “Cityk Kazyna”JSC, Deputy Director of the direct investment fund
2013-2015 – “Kazyna Capital Management”, CEO Adviser
2015-2020 – “Autonomous Cluster Fund “Park of Innovative technologies”, CEO Deputy, CEO


Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne is a Peer of the Realm and a member of the House of Lords.
She is a member of the Conservative Party.
She serves as the Prime Minister’s, Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, The Republic of Iraq and Turkmenistan. In Parliament she co-chairs the All Party Parliamentary Groups for Foreign Affairs and the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Baroness Nicholson served as Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1983 - 1987. She was elected to the House of Commons in 1987 for the constituency of Torridge and West Devon. She was appointed to the House of Lords in 1997.
In 1999 she was elected to the South East Region of the European Parliament and re-elected for the same constituency in 2004 – 2009. She subsequently served in the Parliamentary Council of Europe in Strasbourg from 2011 – 2014.
She has served as official Election Leader and Observer in thirty two nations.
She is President of AMAR US, chairs the AMAR International Charitable Foundation (UK) and AMAR Lebanon. She is founder President of the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC), chairs the Romanian Children’s High Level Group, is a Vice President of the Mary Hare School for Deaf Children, Patron of the Caine Prize for African Writing, Chairman of the Booker Prize for Russian Fiction and Vice Chairman of the Man Booker Prize for English Fiction,
She has been awarded eight Honorary Doctorates has published 2 books and edited various others.
She studied at The Royal Academy of Music after which she entered the IT industry where she developed computer software, built computer systems and managed contracts in the City of London, Government Departments and Africa.
She is a member of The Reform Club, The Royal Over-Seas League, the Royal Society of Arts and an Academician of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Sartbayev was born in 1966 in Karaganda. He graduated from Karaganda State University, KIMEP.
In 2000-2002, he worked as Head of the Legal Department of the RSE “Rehabilitation Fund” of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2000–2002, he was Deputy Director of the State Institution “Financial Center” of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2003-2006, he was Chairman of the Board of the subsidiary "Kazastyktrans".
In 2006-2007, he was Director of the Representative Office of JSC "Food Contract" in the UK.
In 2008-2012, he was a Deputy Director of Nomad LLP.
In 2012-2013, he was Deputy Director of the State Fund "Center for Comprehensive Development" Sary-Arka.”
In 2013-2015, he was Deputy Director of RSE "Directorate of State Residences" Office of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2015-2018, he was director of RSE "Directorate of State Residences" UDP RK.
In 2018-2019, he served as the Trade Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Russian Federation.