Dentons has expanded its presence in Kazakhstan with the launch of an office in the capital Astana.

The office will be headed by newly promoted partner Birzhan Zharasbayev, who was previously based in the firm's Almaty office.

Dentons said the new Kazakh base will allow the firm to service a growing number of national and international clients looking to do business from the Kazakh capital.

Zharasbayev advises on a range of practice areas, including construction, real estate, public-private partnership, corporate and commercial matters, and often represents clients in negotiations with the Kazakhstan Government.

The Astana office, which officially launches today (4 September) will act as a satellite to Dentons' Almaty base, which is headed by partner Aigoul Kenjebayeva, and positions the firm as the largest international law firm in the country.

Earlier this week, Linklaters spin-off firm Kinstellar announced it was launching in Almaty with the hire of Dentons' Central Asia banking head Joel Benjamin. Former Dentons senior associate Adlet Yerkinbayev is also joining as a partner along with a further six associates.

"This is a great opportunity for us to build on the success we have had in Almaty and to provide our clients with legal advice in the locations where they need it," said Dentons Europe chief executive officer Dariusz Oleszczuk.

"Kazakhstan is a rapidly growing economic hub in the CIS region, so strengthening our capabilities and presence in this country is of strategic importance to us. I am confident that with Aigoul and Birzhan at the lead, we will continue to be successful in taking advantage of the opportunities in this key market."

The launch brings the number of Central Asian offices in Dentons' network to five.