Alatau City Authority hosted a meeting with representatives of Alatau Advance Air Group (AAAG) and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), which resulted in the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the development of the OIZ TULIP Special Industrial Zone in Alatau City.
The document aims to move the project from the conceptual stage to practical implementation by bringing together the parties’ expertise and resources in the design, financing, construction and subsequent operation of the industrial zone.
“The Memorandum covers the full cycle: preparation, construction and operation. The priority industries include the low-altitude economy, machine building, energy, construction materials and Smart City. Alatau is also planned as an AI-driven city, so a smart and green park fits our vision from the start. CMEC brings experience in engineering, EPC delivery and industrial investment,” said Alisher Abdykadyrov, Chief Executive Officer of Alatau City Authority.
The project will be implemented in line with Alatau's strategic development priorities, with a focus on integrating digital technologies, artificial intelligence and sustainable development principles.
As Mr Abdykadyrov noted, Alatau's strategic geographical location at the intersection of international transport and logistics corridors, including the Western Europe–Western China corridor, is particularly important for the project's implementation. This location provides favourable conditions for strengthening industrial cooperation, expanding production and supply chains, and enhancing trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan, China and other Central Asian countries.
The Memorandum outlines the key areas of cooperation and defines the respective responsibilities of the parties. In particular, CMEC is expected to take a leading role in project design, securing financing, construction and engagement with potential investors. The Kazakhstani partners will provide support in addressing land-related and organisational matters.
Alatau City Authority, for its part, will coordinate engagement with government authorities, facilitate access to incentives available under the legal framework governing the Alatau Special Economic Zone, and support the necessary approval procedures within its mandate.
During the meeting, the parties also discussed practical mechanisms for implementing the project, financing arrangements, the preparation of project documentation and the next stages of cooperation.
The next step will involve developing a framework agreement, a shareholders' agreement and an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract. These documents will further define the parties' investment commitments, sources of financing and project implementation timelines.
The OIZ TULIP project is expected to attract domestic and foreign investment, create new jobs and expand opportunities for establishing modern manufacturing facilities in Alatau.
Background Information
OIZ TULIP Special Industrial Zone is a project aimed at establishing an industrial complex in Alatau City to accommodate manufacturing enterprises and attract domestic and international investors. The project envisages the development of essential infrastructure and the creation of favourable conditions for localising production in priority sectors of the economy.
China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) is one of the leading subsidiaries of China National Machinery Industry Corporation (Sinomach), specialising in engineering and the delivery of large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects.
