In his Address to the people titled “Kazakhstan in the era of artificial intelligence: current challenges and their solutions through digital transformation,” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the creation of Alatau City — the country’s future hub of business activity and innovation.
A pole of attraction for investment
As the Head of State noted, “in many dynamically developing countries, the so-called cities of advanced development have become poles for attracting investment and technology.” Alatau City should become exactly such a centre for Kazakhstan.
Preparatory work is already underway: “the territory has been allocated, initial planning is complete, and key infrastructure networks have been connected.”
International partnership
The President reported that “during a recent visit to China, multibillion-dollar agreements were signed with world-class companies.” It is especially significant that “one of those companies participated in the construction of the global technopolis Shenzhen and will be directly involved in implementing the Alatau City project.”
Legal framework
To ensure the project’s success, Tokayev instructed officials “within ten days to draft a decree granting the city special status, reporting directly to the Government.” Then “within no more than six months, a separate law must be adopted, defining the city’s management regime, financial model, and other important aspects.”
The President underlined: “special legal status is not a privilege but a necessary measure or tool, without which everything planned risks remaining on paper.”
The region’s first fully digital city
According to the Head of State’s vision, “Alatau City should become the first fully digital city in the region — from the application of Smart City technologies to the possibility of paying for goods and services with cryptocurrencies.”
“The city will embody the image of Kazakhstan’s future, combining technological progress with the most comfortable environment for living,” the President said.
Reform context
The creation of Alatau City takes place against the backdrop of the unsatisfactory performance of most special economic zones. As the President acknowledged, “in attracting investment to regions, special economic zones are assigned a particular role, but the performance of most of them remains unsatisfactory.”
The Alatau City project is designed to become a new model for attracting investment and developing high technology in Kazakhstan, drawing on the best international experience and advanced digital solutions.
The full text of the Address is available on the official site of the President: https://www.akorda.kz/ru/poslanie-glavy-gosudarstva-kasym-zhomarta-tokaeva-narodu-kazahstana-kazahstan-v-epohu-iskusstvennogo-intellekta-aktualnye-zadachi-i-ih-resheniya-cherez-cifrovuyu-transformaciyu-885145
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