Why Kazakhstan’s Referendum Matters for Business by Ralph E. Winnie

To ensure that the legal system is predictable, number one. They also want to make sure that lawyers are protected if and when they take on cases.

And number three, that the rules of the game don't change after the facts. I know this personally. My cousin, who's from Zimbabwe, had the fortune or misfortune of working with the government.

And he would bring in, try to bring in trade and investment. And then when the company became successful, the government would just nationalize. So nobody wants to do business in Zimbabwe.

Having the fact that you have a constitutional court in this referendum sends the right message. Because companies are going to want to trade and invest where they know that the legal system is open and transparent. In China, people don't feel that way.

They feel that if they try and come to China, there could be issues with stealing my technology, my patent. Kazakhstan has a rule protecting digital patent and trademark in this upcoming referendum. Again, very, very important.

For people that are looking to trade and invest in Central Asia, in Kazakhstan. But I think one of the most important things that Kazakhstan has done, even above and beyond the referendum, is they've engaged with the United States with Donald Trump. And they've signed the Board of Peace.

Think about that. Think about what it means for countries like Kazakhstan to have the ear of Donald Trump. They've signed the Board of Peace.

And how much trade and investment that will likely lead to coming into Kazakhstan. Not only between the US, but in Europe and other countries. And having this referendum, which is promoting openness, transparency, it sends the right message to the United States.

It gives Trump cover for any of his detractors that say, Kazakhstan, it's a one-party controlled system. Rule of law, you know. When you can show that there's an active referendum that's been passed, where the people have submitted over 12,000 proposals, and they feel they have a vested interest in the future of their country, that sends a strong and direct message to the government of the United States.

And I'm not taking a personal perspective on Trump. Clearly, he's not a politician or a diplomat. He is what he feels is a dealmaker.

What can you do for me? And this is all about business. How do you get the business to come into the country and to be able to negotiate fairly and effectively? You need a transparent and open legal system. People have to feel that they have a vested interest in their own country.

The dignity of the work. The dignity of the person. The protection of people that are handicapped.

So Kazakhstan has really laid out a very effective referendum that sends a strong message to the rest of the world that they are evolving into a phenomenal economic and political system that could be the envy of Central Asia and the rest of the world. I'm happy to take questions. Thank you for the first insights.

And as we mentioned before, there are different states and governance models.

• -Ralph E. Winnie