Kazakhstan is bidding to increase outside investment with the development of transport links, privatisations, and a new finance centre in Astana.

As part of its plan to reduce government share in the economy to 15%, Kazakhstan aims to sell more than 700 companies by 2020. 

The Astana International Financial Centre is about to come to life, backed by international big names like Nasdaq and the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Kazakh authorities have high ambitions, but past failures call for prudence. 

Ilyas Zhangaskin, the head of administration of Astana's special economic zone, tells Courtney Fingar that the city's hosting of Expo 2017 will be important for the development of the SEZ, the launch of an international financial centre, and a resurgence of the area in general.

Astana’s special economic zone has added to the appeal of Kazakhstan’s capital city and looks set to receive a boost through its proximity to China's planned New Silk Road. Jacopo Dettoni surveys what is on offer.

Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital city since 1997, has grown exponentially over the past 18 years and is now central to the country’s future plans, a position emboldened by its hosting of global events such as Expo 2017. Jacopo Dettoni pays a visit.

When Astana was made the capital city of Kazakhstan, few would have imagined that the small, windswept town would become a major central Asian economic hub hosting events such as Expo 2017. However, can it maintain this pace of development? Jacopo Dettoni investigates.

Nurali Aliyev, the deputy mayor of Astana, is confident that the city's aspirations to become a major investment hub within central Asia and beyond will be delivered upon. He talks to Courtney Fingar.

Special economic zones are being developed across Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent states. Their success will rest on their ability to overcome bureaucracy and customs issues. Jason Mitchell reports on the effects across the region.