Tamchy SFIT Ranks First in Asia-Pacific, Second Globally in 2026 Awards

Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory (SFIT) has secured first place in Asia-Pacific and second place globally in the Rising Star category of fDi Intelligence’s Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2026, becoming the first financial hub from Central Asia to receive the distinction.
The recognition highlights the jurisdiction’s strategy for attracting residents across its priority sectors, alongside its business incentives, including a zero corporate income tax rate for 49 years and unrestricted profit repatriation.
fDi Intelligence, the Financial Times’ specialist division for foreign direct investment (FDI), organises the annual Global Free Zones of the Year Awards, which benchmark free zones worldwide across several key categories. The Rising Star category recognises the strongest newly established zones based on their potential, early evidence of investor interest and the strategic advantages they offer investors.
Ayaz Baetov, First Deputy Chairman of Tamchy SFIT’s Management Council, described the recognition as a significant milestone for the project.
“Being ranked first in Asia-Pacific and second globally so early in Tamchy SFIT’s development is an important international endorsement of our vision. We are creating a next-generation financial jurisdiction that combines the certainty of established international legal practices with the speed, flexibility and digital infrastructure that global businesses increasingly expect,” Baetov said.
Established by law in July 2025, Tamchy SFIT was formally inaugurated by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on 3 July 2026, less than a year later. Developed from the ground up, the jurisdiction operates under the principles of English common law and has its own financial regulator, an International Dispute Resolution Centre and a single-window digital registrar.
Its special tax regime guarantees a 0% rate on profits, dividends, capital gains and VAT for 49 years, while permitting 100% foreign ownership. The framework is designed to accommodate a broad range of businesses, including funds, family offices, holding companies, international trading firms, fintech businesses and other innovation-driven enterprises.
The 6,000-hectare territory on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul is being developed as an integrated ecosystem combining business, living and wellness facilities. A Grade A business centre is already operational, providing modern office spaces and meeting facilities. Issyk-Kul International Airport is within walking distance of the business district.
Five additional buildings, including a second business centre for residents and two office buildings, are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
At its launch, the first companies to register as residents of Tamchy SFIT included businesses from Switzerland, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates. More than 30 additional companies are currently completing registration through the jurisdiction’s digital one-stop-shop system.
Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory (SFIT) is a new international financial jurisdiction on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in the Kyrgyz Republic, inaugurated in July 2026. Built on the principles of English common law, it has its own financial regulator, an independent court and a digital one-stop shop. The jurisdiction offers a special tax regime for 49 years and permits 100% foreign ownership.
Positioned at the intersection of the five EAEU economies and the Eurasian corridor, Tamchy SFIT aims to host around 4,000 resident companies and create more than 10,000 jobs by 2035. Its latest international recognition places the newly established financial jurisdiction among the leading emerging free-zone destinations in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.