Commodities Market Development Project for Astana International Financial Centre: Copper, Natural gas, Wheat

Abstract

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Authority works to promote the non-banking financial sector in Kazakhstan and the Eurasian region and plans to establish a regional commodities exchange. This paper contains research on several of Kazakhstan’s major commodities – copper, natural gas, and wheat – as well as research on regional and international trade flows, underlying logistics infrastructure, market pricing models, and product differentiation. The report contains information regarding the current state, limitations and opportunities for development of each commodity, in addition to recommendations on market opportunities for the developing exchange. The literature review and SWOT analysis assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for each commodity and will be used to support the development of the international commodity exchange.