KAZNEX INVEST, Kazakhstan's Export & Investment Agency Holding Investment Projects Road Show in U.S.

NEW YORK, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (http://www.myprgenie.com) -- KAZNEX INVEST, the National Export and Investment Agency of Kazakhstan, has signed a cooperation memorandum with Fluent in Foreign(TM) LLC (fluentinforeign.com), to oversee a series of investor road show presentations in the United States. The presentations will take place in major U.S. cities, where Kazakhstani government officials and business leaders will present a wide range of current and planned investment projects and opportunities open to Foreign Direct Investment by American businesses and investors. Fluent in Foreign is part of an international financial advisory group that guides companies and organizations doing business and investing in overseas markets. The group is headed by international merchant banker and author, Alexander Gordin.

The organizer of the road show is Kazakhstan's National Export and Investment Agency, KAZNEX INVEST, which provides free "one-stop-shop" services for investors worldwide.

Co-organizers of this event are the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the U.S., Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Council on World Affairs and the U.S.- Kazakhstan Business Association. The Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Hon. Asset Issekeshev will head the Kazakh delegation that will include several high-level officials and business leaders representing a wide range of Kazakh business sectors.

The first events are scheduled for Washington, D.C. on April 10, New York on April 11 and Chicago on April 12. To request an invitation to the events, contact Ruth Sigalus at: [email protected] or visit www.invest.gov.kz for more information.     

Although Kazakhstan is one of the biggest countries in the world, with vast deposits of natural resources, the government is shifting its priority from oil, gas and metals exploration and production to the development of non-extracting industries. In 2010, Kazakhstan President Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev introduced a five-year state program for accelerated industrial and innovative development, providing economic preferences to foreign investors and opening Kazakhstan to the international business sector to build stable, progressive and mutually beneficial economic collaborations.

This road show is the first event that is entirely devoted to the presentation of investment opportunities in priority sectors in Kazakhstan. It will focus on the six main sectors of the economy: agriculture, chemical and petrochemical, machinery, metallurgy, IT and telecommunications.

"Kazakhstan has rapidly emerged as a nation that, through favorable legislation and market reforms, offers international trade and investment opportunities at all levels," said Gordin. "There are tremendous growth prospects in a variety of business sectors." Last year Gordin wrote Fluent in Foreign Business, which is a practical guidebook for U.S. companies looking to do business overseas, especially in emerging markets. Priority industries for Kazakhstan's government include agriculture and food, alternative energy, aerospace, telecommunications, biotechnology, chemicals, construction, machinery, mechanical engineering, metals and light industry.

The Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus, with about 170 million people and total GDP of USD 2 trillion provides additional possibilities for investors and new horizons for effective realization of investment projects in Kazakhstan. Investors will be able to freely promote their products in the Russian and Belarusian markets. Kazakhstan's competitive advantage is its more favorable business environment in comparison with the other countries in the Customs Union. According to the World Bank Doing Business 2012 report, the Russian Federation and Belarus rank 69 and 120 respectively, while Kazakhstan is 47th.

Kazakhstan had $1.8 billion direct investment in 2010. The major ratings agencies give Kazakhstan a stable to positive outlook, and the GDP growth rate for 2012 is projected at 5.6 percent.  

Admission to the road show events will be complimentary and offered to qualified participants by invitation only. After the presentation there will be opportunities for one-on-one networking with Kazakhstan officials and corporate managers. 

Fluent in Foreign LLC, based in New York, is a unique advisory and information service designed to help direct investors, franchisors and exporters prepare to enter or expand operations in foreign markets. The company publishes a number of proprietary analytical tools including the Fi180 Global Business Atlas and Fi3 Country Appeal Indices, which rank Kazakhstan's appeal to investors at 70.6 out possible 100 points. Services include education, financing, political risk insurance, legal compliance and strategic business development for companies seeking to enter foreign markets.

Contact: David Reich, [email protected], 212-573-6000
Contact: Bambe Levine, [email protected], 212-490-6500

SOURCE Fluent in Foreign LLC