Astana, December 2nd: The Foreign Investors’ Council (FIC) takes place on December 4th, 2009 in Astana’s Palace of Independence under the chairmanship of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The Foreign Investors’ Council is an advisory body established to promote direct dialogue between the Government of Kazakhstan and foreign investors in order to efficiently address key issues related to investment activities and improve the investment climate of Kazakhstan for the benefit of foreign investors, as well as ensuring the economic development of Kazakhstan.

The Republic of Kazakhstan is represented by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, the Chairman of the National Bank, the Secretary of State-Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Industry & Trade, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Economy & Budget Planning amongst others.

The foreign side of the Council is represented by top managers of international organizations, economic and financial institutions, foreign companies and corporations. The participants include Thomas Mirow, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Yves-Louis Darricarrere, Member of the Executive Committee and President Exploration and Production, Total; Lakshmi Mittal, CEO, ArcelorMittal; Oleg Deripaska, General Director of RUSAL, and many others.

The FIC meets twice yearly - the last Plenary Session was held in June this year.