INF/IFD/W/2  
 
26 March 2019 
(19-1906) Page: 1/2 
 Original: English  
 
STRUCTURED DISCUSSIO NS ON INVESTMENT FAC ILITATION* 
ONE-STOP SHOP FOR IN VESTORS AND INVESTME NT OMBUD SMAN  
COMMUNICATION FROM KAZAKHSTAN  
 
The following communication, dated 23 July 2018, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Kazakhstan . 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  As a member of the Friends of Investment Facilitation for Development, Kazakhstan welcomes 
the Joint Ministerial Statement on this issue, and supports  the structured discussions, with a view to 
identifying and developing the elements of a multilateral framework for the facilitation of investment.  
1.2.  Investment and exports are the key channels of economic diversification of Kazakhstan. The 
country remains a natural target for resource seeking FDI and related services as well as for 
companies interested in the growing domestic market. Kazakhstan's real challenge, however, is to 
attract more export -oriented, efficiency -seeking FDI. In 2017, Kazakhstan adopted  a National 
Investment Strategy to respond to this challenge and open up new opportunities for investors.  
1.3.  The Government will undertake a series of priority reforms between 2018 and 2022 to increase 
the attractiveness of the country for investment. Creatin g an investment climate that is conducive 
to the attraction as well as retention of investment is at the core of this strategy and will contribute 
to an economically vibrant, industrialized and knowledge -based Kazakhstan. Under this strategy, 
the Governmen t has developed a detailed reform program along the different dimensions of the 
investment's lifecycle that will help create the conditions for Kazakhstan to increase attraction and 
retention of investment.  
1.4.  The purpose of this submission is to inform discu ssions, on the basis of Kazakhstan's own 
experience with investment facilitation measures. In particular, we would like to focus on two aspects 
of our investment facilitation framework ‒ the one -stop shop for investors and the investment 
ombudsman ‒ that c ould also form part of a multilateral framework.  
1.5.  Kazakhstan offers these ideas for discussion and without prejudice to any future negotiating 
position and looks forward to working with other Members toward a successful outcome.  
2  ONE-STOP SHOP FOR INVESTORS  
2.1.  Since 2016 in Kazakhstan all public services necessary for the implementation of investment 
projects , have been available on a " one-stop shop" for investors. Investors seeking to receive 
licenses and permits shall no longer need to visit various ministries  or governmental agencies. The 
one-stop shop facilit ates investment activities and reduces administrative and bureaucratic barriers.  
                                                
* This document was originally circulated as JOB/GC/197 dated 12 September 2018.    INF/IFD/W/2  
 
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  2.2.  KAZAKH INVEST National Company JSC is the official body in charge of attracting investment 
to the Republi c of Kazakhstan, and provides the full range of services in support of investment 
projects, from idea to implementation on the principle of "one -stop shop" and acts as the Unified 
Coordination Center for Special Economic Zones of the Republic of Kazakhstan .  
2.3.  Thus, proceeding from the "one -stop shop" principle, "KAZAKH INVEST" will realize functions 
that exclude or minimize the need for the investor in interaction with the representatives of the state 
bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.  
2.4.  The automatic syste m for tracking of investors support was introduced in 2017. The system 
allows the investor to receive in online mode the necessary background information, to form a ''road 
map'' for the implementation of the investment project in Kazakhstan, as well as to keep the tracking 
of the process of providing the necessary public services.  
2.5.  The function of the "one -stop shop" for investors is the following:  
a. Reception and advising on e xisting public services.  
b. Assistance in the preparation and execution of documents n ecessary to obtain 
governmental services.  
c. Help in obtaining of electronic digital signature, electronic statements and other 
documents.  
d. Support of the investor in central and local executive bodies in getting the public services1. 
Nineteen invest or servic es centers have been established i n all 16 regions of Kazakhstan  
where the public services are provided , including  Astana and Almaty cities.  
2.6.  In 2017, more than 9,000 public services were  provided to investors through " one-stop shop".  
3  INVESTMENT OMBUDSMAN  
3.1.  Kazakhstan recently established the Investment Ombudsman ‒ an official appointed by the 
Government of Kazakhstan, who is entrusted with functions to assist in the protection of rights and 
legitimate interests of investors.  
3.2.  The functions of the Investment O mbudsman are carried out by the authorized body on 
investments ‒ the Ministry for Investment and Development of Kazakhstan.  
3.3.  The main functions of the ombudsman are the following:  
a. Consideration of investors complaints on matters arising in the course of in vestment 
activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and to make recommendations for their 
resolution, includ ing with the public authorities.  
b. Assist investors in addressing emerging issues  in court and pre -trial orders.  
c. Development and introduction of the go vernment recommendations on improvement of 
the national legislation.  
 
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1 Public services include state registration of legal entities; accounting registration of legal entities; online 
services, and permits for various activities; electronic dig ital signatures; visa support, applications for investment 
visas, etc.