Empowering Financial Growth: KASE’s Educational Initiatives for Investors

The Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) is committed to fostering financial literacy and helping issuers and investors better understand the stock market. Recognising that a well-informed public is crucial to the growth of the financial market and the overall economy, KASE regularly hosts training programs designed to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions and navigate the complexities of the stock market.

To enhance financial literacy across the country, KASE organises a wide range of seminars and webinars targeted at retail investors. These programs cover fundamental topics related to the stock market, such as:

• Introduction to the Securities Market
• Choosing Stocks
• Choosing Bonds
• Selecting Investment Funds (Mutual Funds and ETFs)
• Understanding the Derivatives Market
• Compiling an Investment Portfolio
• Taxation and Declaration of Securities
• Repo Market Opportunities for Investors

Since 2020, many of these events have been transitioned to a remote format, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Recordings of webinars are available on KASE's YouTube channel, allowing individuals to access material at their convenience.

Expanding Stock Market Awareness with ‘KASE FEST’

In 2022, KASE launched the "KASE FEST" initiative, a series of broker fairs organised in cities across Kazakhstan. These events are held in collaboration with KASE members and aim to raise awareness of the local stock market and introduce retail investors to the services offered by brokerage organisations. To increase engagement, brokerage firms at these fairs offer interactive activities and motivational prizes, creating an engaging environment for new and seasoned investors alike.

Practical Learning with the ‘Exchange Simulator’

For novice investors, KASE offers a risk-free way to start learning about stock market trading through its "Exchange Simulator" project. Launched in 2008, this initiative is specifically designed for university students across Kazakhstan, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in stock trading without the risk of financial loss. In 2020, the project was integrated into the KASE Mobile app, enabling wider participation. Each year, a contest is held within the framework of the "Exchange Simulator," where participants compete to build the best investment portfolio. The top 10 performers are awarded various prizes from KASE's partners, making the learning process both educational and rewarding.

Annual Retail Investor Contest

KASE also hosts an annual Retail Investor Contest, open to individuals who are clients of brokerage firms that are KASE members. The contest is designed to encourage private investors to explore opportunities in the stock market while improving their understanding of investment strategies, risk management and capital allocation. Like the “Exchange Simulator,” this competition is not only educational, but also incentivised with attractive prizes, further motivating participants to engage with the stock market.

By offering a diverse range of educational programs, contests and interactive events, KASE is playing a pivotal role in cultivating financial literacy and stimulating interest in the stock market among Kazakhstan's population. Whether through online webinars, hands-on simulations, or community-focused events like "KASE FEST," KASE continues to empower both novice and experienced investors, helping them make smarter financial decisions and contribute to the growth of Kazakhstan’s financial market.