From our CEO

Due to the enormous growth rate of Kazakhstan’s economy, there is increasing demand for foreign investment in this resource-rich country. Since 2006 investors from all over the world have had the opportunity to work with a locally based, independent Investment Banking partner.

Over its first two and a half years, Visor Capital has established itself as the leading brokerage in Kazakhstan, and as the premier investment bank across Central Asia. Visor Capital is one of the leading brokers on the KASE, the Kazakhstan stock exchange, and also has an FSA authorised subsidiary in the UK that is a member of the London Stock Exchange. Visor Capital served as the domestic lead manager for KazMunaiGaz’s $2.3 billion dual initial public offering on the LSE and KASE in fall 2006, one of the largest IPOs by a Kazakhstan company to date. In 2008, Visor Capital has advised Kookmin Bank of Korea in its acquisition of a control stake in Bank CenterCredit in Kazakhstan. The company demonstrates flexibility and versatility, providing a broad array of investment banking services while maintaining independence from large banks, unlike many other brokerages and investment houses in the region.

Visor also benefits tremendously from its diverse management team that combines international experience and acumen with local expertise. The core members of Visor Capital’s management team are also shareholders in the company, which underscores their confidence in and commitment to Kazakhstan’s exciting market opportunity. This stability and self-assurance allow Visor to pursue its mission with integrity, to innovate, and to achieve excellence.

Kazakhstan has already emerged from a former Soviet Republic to a country with international standards of performance and banking practices. The country is perhaps the strongest remaining emerging market opportunity in the world, having:

Vast resources in oil, natural gas, and metals commodities
Central geographic location in the heart of the Eurasian continent, including long borders with Russia and China as well as ports on the Caspian Sea
Highly-developed transportation facilities, including air, rail, sea, and road
Huge unrealized agricultural potential
Skilled professional and industrial workforce
Favourable tax laws for foreign investors, including fixed-asset investment deductions, exemptions from property and land taxes, and customs exemptions on imported equipment

Such an environment provides an ideal environment for an independent, Kazakhstan-based investment banking institution, such as Visor Capital. Our international team has a mission to develop long-term relationships to build a world-class institution. To achieve this goal, we work steadfastly to help our local and international clients reap the benefits of Kazakhstan’s economic growth.

Through good and difficult times, our focus is on our core market: Kazakhstan. We believe that this focus will be rewarded by clients looking for a consistent approach and service when looking to invest or execute transactions in the Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region.

Michael Carter,
CEO