Panel Session: “Alatau City: The Future is Now”
On May 29, as part of the Astana International Forum, a panel session titled “Alatau City: The Future is Now” was held, dedicated to one of Kazakhstan`s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives - the development of Alatau City. The session provided a key discussion platform to present the city`s development concept, its legal and investment mechanisms and the role of innovation and technology in creating a new urban model.
The event took place in an open-discussion format, featuring keynote speeches and audience Q&A. The working language of the session was English, with simultaneous interpretation into Kazakh and Russian.
Participants
The panel featured representatives of the investment community, development companies, urban planning experts, government officials of the Republic of Kazakhstan and international development specialists from Singapore, South Korea and the United States.
Key Discussion Topics
The panel focused on Alatau City`s potential as a new growth engine for Kazakhstan and the Central Asia region, including:
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Granting the city a special legal status to attract international capital
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Creating a favorable investment environment for global companies
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Integrating PropTech, LAE (Law Altitude Economy) and UAM (Urban Air Mobility) technologies into urban infrastructure
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Applying digital tools and developing fintech solutions, including blockchain-based procurement systems
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Positioning Alatau City as an educational, tourism and trade hub, attractive to young talent and innovative businesses
Key Speakers
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Kanat Bozumbayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Special Guest of the Session
Emphasized the importance of the city`s special status, visa-free regime and direct engagement with investors from Southeast Asia. According to him, 36 investment projects worth over $2 billion are already underway in Alatau City, expected to create 20,000 jobs.
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Wong Heang Fine, Chairman, Asia Infrastructure Solutions Singapore; Chief Urban Advisor for Alatau City (Singapore)
Stated that Alatau City should evolve beyond the scope of a typical special economic zone and compete on a global scale as a full ecosystem.
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Zhaslan Madiev, Minister of Digital Development, Republic of Kazakhstan
Highlighted that Alatau City is being designed not as a state-run metropolis, but as an investor-centric city implementing advanced regulatory and technological models. It will become Kazakhstan`s first “crypto city”.
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Moon Park, Partner and Head of Digital Transformation, KPMG Korea
Stressed the importance of phased incentives for tech companies and the integration of innovative solutions - from autonomous taxis to AI-driven platforms.
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Stephan Baral, Director of Corporate Development, Joby Aviation (USA)
Shared insights on incorporating urban air mobility technologies into next-generation infrastructure.
Strategic Significance for Kazakhstan
The session made clear that Alatau City is a strategic national project - a platform for investment, innovation, and economic transformation.
Its mission goes beyond building another metropolis: Alatau City is set to become a symbol of Kazakhstan’s modern transformation and global integration.
