Kazakhstan and the region have enjoyed an unprecedented growth with the emergence of strong commodity prices. This new wealth is reaching into society and the economy has grown, including the development of much needed infrastructure, the creation of new industries, and many social needs including education and health care.

Many new entrepreneurs are emerging around the country, and their aspiration is to continue to grow and support the development of the region and also to look broader into Asia and Europe.

Historically, companies in Kazakhstan financed themselves through bank loans or on the international capital markets. However, following the recent global liquidity crisis, debt financing has become more difficult to come by and international capital markets have virtually closed, stressing the need for many companies to seek alternative sources of financing.

A local stock exchange traditionally supports the development of local business and the development of a country’s capital markets. Kazakhstan has been actively working towards an active capital market and, through the RFCA, has been implementing a number of new initiatives to raise the visibility and attractiveness of capital markets in Kazakhstan.

Therefore, Visor Capital, Deloitte and the RFCA are holding a three-day IPO Master Class “Reaching New Peaks” in Almaty. The agenda is designed to help participants understand the route to and various aspects of the equity and debt markets - from the preparation and legal process, director responsibilities, corporate governance, financial reporting, what ‘trading’ means, investor relations, to the question of ‘where capital will come from’, and the rules of the exchange.. Specialists from RFCA, Visor Capital and Deloitte will lead the group through a series of meetings, introducing them to the RFCA\KASE and other key parties and advisors. The Master Class gives companies of all sizes an opportunity to meet and discuss with the key parties the route to capital markets.

Those aspirations can still be a reality. Reach for that new peak!