President
Saule Zhakayeva
Chairperson, Citi
About Us
AmCham Kazakhstan
The American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan (AmCham) is the leading voice of the international and local business community in Kazakhstan. We provide a trusted platform where companies can exchange ideas, share expertise, and collaborate on the issues that shape the country’s economic future.
Founded in 1999 by thirty-five American companies, AmCham has grown into a dynamic and influential network of more than 100 member companies from around the world. Our community is built on shared values: free enterprise, fair competition, and the rule of law, with a strong commitment to improving Kazakhstan’s investment climate.
AmCham represents a proactive alliance that promotes open markets, supports regulatory progress, and strengthens dialogue between the private sector and government.
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Vision
- To be the voice of our members, so that they and Kazakhstan grow together
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Values
- Free enterprise
Fair competition
Rule of law -
Missions
- Support businesses in Kazakhstan that share our values through advocacy, networking, and services
AmCham Board
AmCham Kazakhstan is governed by a Board of Directors elected by its members, made up of nine corporate representatives and the executive director. A four-person Executive Committee leads the Board, with the U.S. Embassy’s Senior Commercial Officer serving as a non-voting observer.
The Board meets monthly to guide AmCham’s strategy, review policy, and respond to business developments in Kazakhstan.
Members represent the Chamber on high-level platforms like the Prime Minister’s Council and Foreign Investors’ Council, contributing to advocacy and reform efforts.
Board members serve voluntarily, follow conflict of interest rules, and are elected for two-year terms. Elections are held each winter, with results shared at the Annual General Meeting.
Secretary
Dylan Morgan
Vice President, Chevron
VP
Bela Ferenczi
President of GE Russia/CIS
Treasurer
Paul Cohn
Partner, EY
Adilet Nazarbayev
CIS Cluster Lead, Johnson & Johnson
Andrew Glass
Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service
Dana Inkarbekova
Managing Partner, PwC
Dmitry Kozenkov
Country Manager, Pfizer
Jeff Erlich
Gulzhan Bekbotayeva
Elzhana Oralgaziyeva
Zhanel Suleimenova
Ayana Mukhitova
Nargyz Bitimbay
Dayana Kairolla
History
Origins (Pre - 1998)
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell with AmCham President Courtney Fowler
AmCham Kazakhstan traces its origins to the U.S. Embassy’s Commercial Service in Almaty, which hosted monthly Business Roundtables. These informal events brought together American, international, and Kazakhstani business leaders to discuss political, economic, and commercial developments in the country.
1998
Diana Brett, AmCham's first full-time Executive Director
As American business presence in Kazakhstan grew significantly, the need for a formal private-sector platform became clear. In response, AmCham was founded. A group of business leaders registered as a non-profit entity, drafted by-laws, and launched a membership campaign. Thirty-six companies joined as Charter Members.
1999 – 2000
Kassymzhomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan Prime Minister, at BRT in 2000
AmCham established its legal presence, launched official operations, and reached 59 member companies by the end of 1999. In 2000, the Chamber hosted a Business Roundtable with then-Prime Minister Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (now President of Kazakhstan), which positioned AmCham as a respected business institution.
2002
First issue of Investor’s Voice, 2002
AmCham launched Investors’ Voice, a flagship magazine that became financially self-sustaining and widely circulated among member companies, embassies, and government agencies.
2003–2004
UNDP’s Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, Fikret Akcura at an AmCham event.
Membership continued to grow, reaching 161 companies by mid-2004. New working groups became a core platform for member engagement in Almaty, Astana, and Atyrau.
2002
Doris Bradbury, Executive Director of AmCham, 2006–2024
Doris Bradbury was appointed Executive Director. Under her leadership, the Chamber expanded its membership, launched the Awards Dinner, broadened Investors’ Voice, and strengthened partnerships with government and international organizations.
2008–2010
Chamber Members enjoying the warm atmosphere of AmCham’s socials
AmCham launched the U.S.–Kazakhstan Public-Private Economic Partnership Initiative (PPEPI), supported by the U.S. State Department and USAID. Five policy-focused working groups were created, leading to White Papers and high-level dialogue with senior Kazakhstani officials.
2010–2016
AmCham members engaging in policy dialogue as part of the Economic Policy Program (AEPP)
PPEPI was integrated into AmCham operations as the AmCham Economic Policy Program (AEPP), which became the Chamber’s central advocacy platform. AEPP included sectoral working groups, public roundtables, and close coordination with policymakers. The program concluded in 2016 as its key functions were absorbed into broader PM Council activities.
2012 – Ongoing
AmCham President Kenneth Mack at the Prime Minister’s Council
The Council to Improve the Investment Climate (PM Council) was launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Karim Massimov. AmCham was designated the sole private-sector representative. Council sessions brought together government ministers and member companies to address legal, regulatory, tax, and investment issues. Interministerial working groups were formed with the Ministries of Finance, Justice, Energy, Environment, and others to advance policy solutions raised during Council sessions.
2013–2017
AmCham in dialogue with the Government on regulatory and policy reform
AmCham deepened its engagement with the Government of Kazakhstan through regular Cabinet-level discussions and follow-up consultations. Key focus areas included VAT refunds, licensing procedures, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, environmental regulation, and judicial reform. The Chamber supported government-led interministerial working groups to collaboratively resolve technical and policy challenges.
2014–2018
AmCham Kazakhstan's White paper
AmCham published two major Investment White Papers that significantly shaped policy dialogue:
Improving Kazakhstan’s Investment Climate: Building a World-Class Healthcare System in Kazakhstan
Improving Kazakhstan’s Investment Climate: Top 10 Barriers to Foreign Investment
Both were authored by Jeff Erlich and played a key role in advancing AmCham’s advocacy within the Council and among senior government officials.
2020–2023
During the COVID-19 pandemic, AmCham continued its engagement with the Government through virtual PM Council meetings
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, AmCham remained fully engaged in its core operations, quickly adapting to virtual formats. The Chamber continued its active participation in the Prime Minister’s Council and ongoing policy consultations. In addition, AmCham organized a series of advocacy webinars focused on Kazakhstan’s investment climate, helping maintain essential dialogue between the business community and government stakeholders during a period of limited in-person contact.
2024
Jeff Erlich, Executive Director of AmCham Kazakhstan, 2024–present
Jeff Erlich succeeded Doris Bradbury as Executive Director. Under his leadership, AmCham introduced new internal practices to strengthen advocacy channels, improve member experience, and increase operational efficiency. The Chamber resumed a full schedule of offline events and reaffirmed its leadership role in Kazakhstan’s business landscape.
Governance
AmCham Kazakhstan is committed to transparency, accountability, and high standards of organizational governance. This section provides access to key documents that guide the Chamber’s operations and reflect its commitment to responsible management and member representation.
Governance Documents
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Bylaws
The foundational document outlining AmCham’s structure, purpose and decision-making processes.
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2024 Annual Report
Summary of AmCham’s yearly activities, achievements, financial performance, and strategic priorities.
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Board Election Procedure
Details on how the Board of Directors is nominated, elected and rotated.
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Data Policy
How we collect, store, and use member and partner information responsibly and in compliance with applicable regulations
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Operational Policies
Standards for workplace conduct, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and staff responsibilities to ensure a professional, safe, and member-focused organization.