Fortune Partners: Building a New Standard of Advisory in Kazakhstan
Fortune Partners was founded with a clear idea in mind: to combine the discipline and scale of Big Four practices, the precision of international law firms, and the practical understanding of how business really works in Kazakhstan.
At the heart of this vision is Dana Tokmurzina, General Director of Fortune Partners. With a background that bridges public service, the judiciary, and high-level legal practice, Dana brings a rare perspective to the consulting market - one grounded not only in theory, but in real decision-making and accountability.
From the very beginning, Fortune Partners positioned itself as a firm for companies that need solutions, not abstract advice. Today, we provide a full range of tax and legal services: tax consulting and compliance, due diligence, dispute resolution, and representation before tax and customs authorities. We also advise large corporations on restructuring, partner relations, and business transformation.
Our team reflects this same philosophy. It includes former judges, prosecutors, tax and customs officials, and Big Four alumni - professionals who understand how regulations are applied in practice, not just how they are written.
Where the Market Is Moving
Tax advisory is currently the most in-demand area of our work. Kazakhstan is approaching the adoption of a new tax code, and businesses across all sectors are reassessing their structures, contracts, and risk exposure. Large corporations and SMEs alike are seeking clarity: how to stay compliant, how to adapt without disrupting operations, and how to prepare for increased scrutiny.
Our clients come from oil and gas, mining, agriculture, logistics, retail, and hospitality. Many are international groups operating in Kazakhstan for the first time; others are local companies transitioning from fragmented structures to integrated, transparent models required by major partners and regulators. In all cases, our role is the same - to help clients move forward confidently in a changing regulatory environment.
AIFC: Opportunity with Responsibility
The Astana International Financial Centre remains one of the strongest platforms for attracting foreign investment to Kazakhstan. Its English common law framework and financial instruments are a major advantage. At the same time, regulatory oversight is becoming more sophisticated: authorities increasingly distinguish between genuine investment activity and attempts to use the AIFC purely for tax or regulatory arbitrage.
We support clients operating within the AIFC by helping them structure their presence correctly, understand compliance expectations, and use the AIFC’s tools in a sustainable way.
Investing in the Next Generation
One of Fortune Partners’ defining features is its Academy, which reflects our long-term view of the profession. We see education not as marketing, but as responsibility.
Through high-level forums, we bring together representatives of Parliament, ministries, judges, and business leaders to discuss how laws work in practice - from the new tax code to environmental regulation. We also organize regional events across Kazakhstan with the National Chamber of Commerce, ensuring that expertise is not limited to major cities.
A flagship initiative of the Academy is our moot court competition, focused on Kazakh and Central Asian law. Students compete in real courtrooms, before sitting judges, in Russian and Kazakh. Each year, more than 160 teams participate. Many finalists receive job offers - including from Fortune Partners - turning the competition into a real professional launchpad.
Thought Leadership and Regional Reach
Our influence extends beyond traditional legal services. We regularly host legal and environmental forums, conduct free webinars for regional professionals, and participate in key national platforms such as the Lincoln Conference, where we recently led the tax law panel.
Environmental law has become a particular focus. With penalties increasing up to 100 times, companies in extractive industries face serious financial risks. We work closely with regulators and industry players to translate new ecological rules into practical compliance strategies.
Internationally, we actively advise Chinese companies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, support foreign investors entering Kazakhstan, and are expanding toward the Gulf region. We are preparing joint events with Arab investors and planning our first UAE-based event for Russian-speaking businesses exploring Middle Eastern markets.
Looking Ahead
Our priority for 2026 is sustainable growth - for our clients and for our firm. As inflationary pressures and regulatory changes reshape the economy, businesses need clear guidance and reliable partners.
At Fortune Partners, we remain focused on what has defined us from the start: strong leadership, deep expertise, and practical solutions that help companies operate with confidence in complex environments.
