Astana International Financial Centre plans to set up trading platform for sustainable financial instruments

ALMATY. Nov 15 (Interfax) - The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) plans to create a trading platform for sustainable financial instruments, including carbon credits.

The platform, which will be based on AIX, aims to help companies from Kazakhstan and the wider region attract investments for projects focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing production processes and ESG reporting.

"The AIFC is developing a carbon platform on AIX, where environmental instruments will be traded alongside traditional market assets. These tools will enable companies not only in Kazakhstan but across the region to secure essential investment for projects aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving their production and environmental practices," said Asel Nurakhmetova, Director of the AIFC Carbon Platform, at COP29 in Baku.

In addition, AIX expanded its responsible finance product line in September by adding I-REC renewable energy certificates. The next step will be to develop a market for carbon credits. AIFC believes the carbon platform could eventually become a regional hub for Central Asia and the Caucasus. Located in Kazakhstan's capital, AIFC is a special zone designed to attract investment with its favorable tax, currency, and visa regimes.