Mr. Rakhim Oshakbayev is the Director of the Center of Applied Research “TALAP,” a think-tank focused on macroeconomic research and economic policy. Before joining “TALAP,” from 2015 to March 2016, Mr. Oshakbayev served as a Vice-Minister for Investments and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan where he was responsible for the development and implementation of investment policy and international cooperation in this area. Prior to joining the Ministry of Investment and Development, from 2011 to 2015 Mr. Oshakbayev served as a First Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan “Atameken.” Mr. Oshakbayev also has substantial experience working in senior management positions in different state-owned and private companies in Kazakhstan. Mr. Oshakbayev holds a BS in Economics from Lomonosov Moscow State University (1999).