In late March 2025, a high-level delegation from Kazakhstan’s National Bank and the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDFM) visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss strengthening cooperation in financial markets, digital assets, and investment partnerships.
The delegation held important talks with leading UAE financial authorities, such as the Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, Khaled Mohamed Balama, and the CEO of the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), Waleed Saeed Abdul Salam Al Awadhi. They also met with Mubadala, the UAE’s sovereign investment fund, as well as key representatives from financial centers, banks, and fintech companies.
Strengthening Financial Cooperation
The discussions with the Central Bank of the UAE focused on macroeconomic conditions, managing financial flows, and regulating digital financial assets. A key result of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries, which will help both sides work together on developing financial markets, innovation in FinTech, cybersecurity, and exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Advancing Stock Markets and Blockchain Technologies
The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Kazakh regulators focused on improving cooperation between stock markets, specifically through Kazakhstan’s Stock Exchange (KASE) and the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). They also explored the use of the Tabadul digital exchange platform, which connects the UAE and Kazakhstan. Another important topic was the development of blockchain technologies and digital asset regulation, discussed with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
Meetings with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) centered around creating better regulatory frameworks for financial services and cross-border transactions, aimed at making financial operations between Kazakhstan and the UAE more efficient.
Capital Markets and Investment Opportunities
The delegation also met with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) to talk about improving capital market infrastructure and increasing liquidity in trading. Kazakhstan’s team further engaged with Mubadala Investment Holding and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) to discuss expanding investment partnerships between the two countries. Talks with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Microsoft also focused on building AI-driven infrastructure for Kazakhstan’s financial sector.
Moving Forward
This visit highlights Kazakhstan’s strong commitment to deepening its ties with the UAE in the areas of finance, FinTech, and investment. The agreements and conversations set the stage for closer regulatory cooperation, better collaboration in stock markets, and the adoption of new technologies in digital finance. These partnerships are expected to play a crucial role in driving innovation and improving financial systems in Kazakhstan as it continues to develop its economy.