JOB/GC/ 197 
 
12 September  2018 
(18-5650) Page: 1/2 
General Council  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 f or 
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 ne w 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. Creating an investment climate that is 
conducive to the attraction as well as rete ntion 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 Government 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 discussions, on the basis of Kazakhstan's own 
experience with investment facilit ation 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 could also form part of a multilateral framework.  
1.5.  Kazakhstan offers these id eas 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 IN VESTORS  
2.1.  Since 2016 in Kazakhstan all public services necessary for the implementat ion 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.  JOB/GC/ 197 
 
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  2.2.  KAZAKH INVEST National Company JSC is the official body in charge of attracting investment 
to the Republic 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 f unctions 
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 system for tracking of investors support was introduced in 2017. The system 
allows the inve stor 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 func tion 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 necessary 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 services centers have been established i n all 16 regions of 
Kazakhstan  where the public s ervices 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 Ombudsman are carried out by the authorized body on 
investments ‒ the Ministry for I nvestment 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 investment 
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 government 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 digital signatures; visa support, applications for 
investment visas , etc.