AFSA Holds High-Level Roundtable on Regional Cooperation and Financial Market Integration

On September 9, the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) held a high-level roundtable, “From Fragmentation to Integration: Regional Cooperation for Stronger Financial Markets,” as part of the Astana Finance Days 2026 forum. The event brought together representatives of financial regulators and market participants from Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, as well as international financial organisations and development institutions. 

Evgeniya Bogdanova, Chief Executive Officer of AFSA, commented: “The financial markets of Central Asia and the South Caucasus are developing rapidly, and closer cooperation among regulators is becoming increasingly important as cross-border investment and financial activity expand. By strengthening regulatory dialogue, improving connectivity, and reducing barriers between our markets, we can create a more integrated and attractive regional financial ecosystem. In this context, the AIFC has an important role to play as a regional financial hub, connecting markets, investors and institutions, and providing an internationally recognised regulatory environment for cross-border financial activity. AFSA is committed to working with our regional partners to turn this potential into practical opportunities for businesses and investors across the region.” 

Participants of the roundtable discussed key barriers to cross-border capital flows and practical measures to facilitate access to financial markets, promote mutual recognition, enhance information sharing, and strengthen supervisory cooperation. 

Particular attention was given to the development of regional market infrastructure, cross-border financial products and investment corridors, as well as regulatory alignment, enhanced supervisory coordination, and the role of digitalisation in strengthening regional financial connectivity. 

The discussion was attended by representatives of the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, Bloomberg, as well as representatives of stock exchanges across Central Asia and the South Caucasus. 

The roundtable identified practical areas for further regulatory cooperation and enhanced cross-border connectivity of financial markets across Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The discussion reaffirmed the importance of strengthening coordination among regulators and market participants to enhance the region’s investment attractiveness and competitiveness. 

Reference: 

The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) is the independent regulator of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), established in accordance with the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Astana International Financial Centre” for the purposes of regulating financial services and related activities in the AIFC. AFSA administers the AIFC Regulations and Rules and is responsible for the authorisation, registration, recognition, and supervision of financial firms and market institutions in the AIFC. afsa.kz 

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction where investors and businesses meet emerging opportunities of Kazakhstan and Central Asia in a transparent and sustainable environment backed by the principles of English Common Law. aifc.kz 

Public Relations and Communications Division of AFSA, [email protected]