Area: 2,724.9 km2 
Population: 14 820 900 person (official data for January, 1st , 2002). 
Capital: Astana 
Language: Kazakh, Russian 
Religion: Islam, Christianity, no state religion 
Monetary unit: 1 Kazakh tenge = 100 tiyin 
Climate: sharply continental. The average temperature in January is in the ranges of – 19 and - 4°С, average temperature in July is in the ranges of +19 and +26 °С. The lowest temperature reaches -45°С , the highest temperature is +30°С 
Borders: China - 1460 km, Kyrgystan - 980 km, Turkmenistan - 380 km, Uzbekistan - 2300 km, Russia - 6467 km. 

 

Kazakhstan is a country with a rich historical and cultural past. Its geographical and geopolitical situation has played a significant role in promoting the development of Kazakhstan. Being located in the center of Eurasia, Kazakhstan has long been at the intersection of ancient world civilization and at the crossroads of major transport arteries. Thus it has been a site for a negotiation of social and economic, cultural and ideological relations between East and West, North and South, between Europe and Asia. 
  Closely bound up with the histories of the other Turkic nations inhabiting Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s history covers many millennia. A state of Kazakhs was first formed by 1470, when the Kazakh Sultans Djanibek and Girey headed a multiplicity of tribes that had been united into a single nation – the Kazakhs – in the southeastern regions of Semirechiye and the valley of the River Chu.
The Kazakh people derive their origin from the ancient tribes living in the territory of contemporary Kazakhstan. Initially, these were the Andron tribes, then Saka tribes (Scythians), which were followed by the tribes of Usuns, Kangly and Hunnu (Gunnu). New tribes came into the territory of Kazakhstan and were assimilated into the aboriginal populace.
The term «Turkic» is first mentioned in written sources in the second half of the 6th Century.
From the 6th to early 13th centuries, Western Turkic people along with the people of Tyurgesh, Karluk Khanates, and the states of Oghuzs, Karakhanides, Kimaks, and Kipchaks succeeded one another right up until the Mongol invasion. After the Mongol invasion, Uluses were established in the early 13th century, domains of the sons of Genghis Khan. The Ak Horde, subsequently the Kazakh Khanate, took its portion from the Ulus of the elder son Djuchi.

Achievements. Development goals

  Kazakhstan is a middle income country with a gross domestic product per head of 5083 US dollars in 2006. Being the largest country in Central Asia and 9th in the world for its territory, the country has considerable mineral wealth (based on experts' data, the country takes 6th place for mineral wealth) and large agricultural territories. The key factor making influence on country development is its geopolitical allocation in the middle of Eurasia.

  Following independence in 1991, Kazakhstan was one of the earliest and most vigorous reformers among the countries of the former Soviet Union. The government established a basic framework to attract foreign direct investment into its resource - rich oil and mineral sector. Banking reforms and a state-of-the-art pension reform followed, together with the unbundling of the electricity sector. Currently, the economy is heavily dependent on a few commodities; however the Government clearly understands the daunting challenge of diversification. In this connection a program of economy diversification and development of non-extractive industries is being realized.

  Today, Kazakhstan is fully integrated in the world community politically and economically as well. As a result of intensive diplomatic activities Kazakhstan is suitably positioned in the international relations system. Our country is highly evaluated and respected by the world community for adequate prioritization, consistent achievement of the goals, and balanced external policy. International partners of Kazakhstan such as UN and OSCE emphasize the stabilizing role of Kazakhstan in the region. 
Investment climate 
  During several years Kazakhstan keeps to be stable and attractive for investments. It is critical that currently Kazakhstan continues to work on further improvement of investment climate. Kazakhstan is the only country in the CIS having investment class rating from 3 leading international rating agencies. All rating forecasts of Moody's Investors Service are "positive", ratings of Standard & Poor's and Fitch Rating's Ltd. International agencies' forecasts are "stable".

  During 2007 the volume of direct foreign investments in Kazakhstan economy is over 46.2 billion US dollars.

  In order to ensure a mutually advantageous cooperation with investors working in our country, Foreign Investors Counsel was established in 1998 by Kazakhstan President's Decree. The Counsel successfully works directly with President of Kazakhstan and currently includes key investors of the national economy - ABN AMRO Bank, ENI, Access Industries, BAE Systems, Baker & McKenzie, British Gas, Chevron Texaco, Deutsche Bank, EBRD, Exxon Mobil, Ernst & Young, Eurasian Industrial Association, Ispat/LNM Group, Koch Holding, Mitsubishi, Samsung. Regular plenary meetings are also chaired by Kazakhstan President.

  Within further improvement of country's investment climate Kazakhstan is going to provide additional privileges and preferences to those companies working within industrial development program and producing goods with high added value.

  We can also add here that Government continues to improve state services and is going to implement in 2007 European Community's standards for financial institutions. Kazakhstan is included by World Bank in top 20 countries in the world most favorable for investments and we have the lowest taxation burden in the CIS. Besides, in order to strengthen investors' trust and commitment, the Government has intention to support transparency and stability in contracting and licensing, improve investment legislation.

  All these measures would certainly enhance further investments growth.