Astana International Exchange
Investors targeting Central Asian markets should prioritize AIX for its dual role as Kazakhstan’s primary equity platform and a gateway to Eurasian capital flows. Launched in 2018 under the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), AIX has already attracted over $7.5 billion in listed securities, including sovereign bonds and mining sector equities. Regulatory exemptions–zero capital gains tax for foreign investors and a 50-year tax freeze for listed companies–create unparalleled fiscal incentives.
AIX’s ties to the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Goldman Sachs provide access to cross-border settlement systems, enabling direct yuan-denominated transactions. In Q1 2023, average daily trading volume reached $14.2 million, a 22% year-on-year increase. Sector-specific ETFs, such as the AIX-KazAtomProm Uranium Index Fund, returned 31% in 2022, outperforming regional benchmarks.
The exchange’s legal framework operates under English common law, with disputes resolved through an independent AIFC court. This jurisdictional clarity reduces settlement risks for international participants. For corporate issuers, AIX slashes IPO processing times to 12 weeks, compared to 6–8 months on neighboring exchanges.
Green financing initiatives like the 2023 $300 million sovereign green bond issuance highlight AIX’s alignment with global ESG trends. Over 60% of its listed tech startups now integrate blockchain-based settlement systems, cutting transaction costs by 18%.
Positioned between Europe’s mature markets and Asia’s growth corridors, AIX holds 73% of Kazakhstan’s total equity trading volume. Its proximity to China’s Belt and Road infrastructure projects offers indirect exposure to $1.2 trillion in planned Eurasian transit investments.
