Four days, 27 agreements, over $2 billion: how Kazakhstan is attracting European businesses to Alatau City

Tengrinews.kz — British capital and German technology: Kazakhstan continues to build international cooperation for Alatau City, this time in Europe. A five-day roadshow by a government delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev recently concluded. The Kazakh side held successful talks with leading international financial institutions, investment funds, and major industrial and technology companies in the United Kingdom and Germany.
Over four days, 27 agreements were signed with a combined investment potential of more than $2 billion. The agreements cover infrastructure and industrial projects, as well as energy, construction, education, healthcare and advanced technologies.
Key facts about Alatau City
Alatau City is a large-scale project to create a new city in Almaty Region, located between Almaty and Konaev. Its territory covers about 88,000 hectares. The project provides for the development of modern transport, engineering and digital infrastructure, the creation of business and industrial zones, as well as the establishment of international educational and medical institutions.
Under the master plan, the city is expected to be divided into four specialized districts: a financial and business center; an education, science and healthcare center; an industrial and logistics center; and a tourism and recreation cluster.
On May 8, 2026, Alatau was granted special legal status as an accelerated-development city, providing for special regulatory mechanisms, investment protection and incentives for entrepreneurial activity.
Day 1
The European roadshow began in London on November 2.
The first meeting on the business agenda was between Kanat Bozumbayev and London Stock Exchange CEO Julia Hoggett. Ayuna Nechaeva, Head of Primary Markets for Europe at the exchange, and Chris McGahan, Head of Western Europe and the Nordics, also took part in the discussion.
The parties discussed prospects for attracting institutional capital and using international financial markets to finance Alatau City projects.
Palace of Westminster and Big Ben viewed from the Thames Embankment
Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev welcomes participants of the meeting
The Alatau City Investment Roundtable was then held at the Royal Automobile Club, bringing together representatives of more than 70 companies, including JPMorgan Chase, AstraZeneca, BP and Brookfield Asset Management, as well as international banks and investment funds.
Opening the meeting, Kanat Bozumbayev emphasized the strategic importance of the United Kingdom as one of Kazakhstan’s key economic and financial partners.

“It is no coincidence that we are starting the roadshow in London, one of the world’s leading financial and legal centers. The United Kingdom is our strategic partner. We are creating a new center for business, finance, technology and logistics that is expected to become an important link in economic cooperation between Europe and Asia, and we invite you to take part in this large-scale project,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

According to him, the volume of British investment in Kazakhstan’s economy has exceeded $23.5 billion. More than 500 British companies operate in the country. In 2024, the two countries signed a Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Kanat Bozumbayev speaks at the roundtable. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Alibek Bakayev is on the left, Baroness Catherine Ashton is on the right
Alisher Abdykadyrov, Chief Executive Officer of the Alatau City Authority, presented British partners with the city’s key development priorities, including the creation of engineering and transport infrastructure, as well as industrial, business and logistics zones. Particular attention will be paid to infrastructure for unmanned cargo delivery and the potential use of air taxis.
Alisher Abdykadyrov, Chief Executive Officer of the Alatau City Authority
One of the key topics of the London program was the special legal regime of Alatau City, established by the Constitutional Law of May 8, 2026, and based on the principles of English common law.
At a meeting with representatives of international law firms Norton Rose Fulbright, Reed Smith and Boies Schiller Flexner, the parties discussed tax regulation, investment incentives, digital assets and commercial dispute resolution. They also considered the possibility of establishing a dedicated investment court in Alatau City.
Simon Cox, senior consultant at Norton Rose Fulbright, noted the importance of Kazakhstan’s work to create a legal and regulatory environment for international investors.

“The commitment of the Government of Kazakhstan, and particularly the involvement of the Deputy Prime Minister, will, I believe, give people greater confidence. It is an excellent concept, and a tremendous amount of work is being done to put in place the legal framework, tax structure, foreign exchange system and customs regulations that will allow people to invest safely and successfully implement their projects,” he said.

This was followed by talks with representatives of Brookfield Asset Management, Société Générale and JPMorgan. The parties discussed mechanisms for attracting international capital and the potential participation of financial institutions in energy, transport and urban infrastructure projects.
Note: One of the districts in Alatau City is planned as a financial and business center, with offices, business hotels and retail space. By the end of 2029, the city is also expected to have an Iconic Complex worth around $800 million. It was designed by the U.S. architectural firm SOM, while construction will be carried out by the Chinese company CSCEC.
Talks with J.P. Morgan
On the same day, the Alatau City Authority and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed an agreement on cooperation in developing the city’s infrastructure and investment projects. Kanat Bozumbayev and EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso took part in the signing ceremony.
It should be noted that cooperation with the bank has already moved into the practical stage. In September, the EBRD provided financing to Alatau Zharyk Company for the modernization of power grids, including the reconstruction of the Zhetygen substation and a power transmission line for the new city.
Day 2
Talks were held with representatives of British government institutions and the financial sector.
With UK Export Finance, the parties discussed financing mechanisms for Alatau City’s energy, transport and utility projects, as well as opportunities to involve British companies and banks.
During a meeting with Standard Chartered, the parties reviewed prospects for attracting long-term loan financing jointly with international financial institutions.
Kanat Bozumbayev ahead of a working meeting with Standard Chartered
As a result of the London leg of the roadshow, nine agreements were signed with a combined investment potential of around $1.3 billion. The agreements cover three areas: infrastructure financing, education and healthcare.
In the education sector, projects are being considered to open a branch of the University of Exeter in Alatau City, as well as international schools operated by Brighton College, Repton Group and Magdalen College School (Oxford).
According to Kanat Bozumbayev, attracting leading international educational institutions will help create modern education infrastructure and train specialists for the new economy.
The delegation held separate talks with representatives of Brighton College and the University of Exeter. Brighton College International was represented by Chief Operating Officer John Weeks. The college’s international model provides for a local investor to finance the infrastructure, while the British side is responsible for educational programs, quality standards and the selection of senior management.
The University of Exeter was represented by Professor Alexandra Gerbasi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy. The university is a member of the Russell Group, which brings together leading research universities in the United Kingdom. Its key areas of expertise include climate research, mining, critical minerals and geothermal energy.
Meeting with representatives of the University of Exeter
The delegation then met with the leadership of Magdalen College School in Oxford. The parties discussed prospects for opening an international school in Alatau City offering British educational programs, as well as joint teacher training.
The third area of cooperation is healthcare. Agreements with AstraZeneca and Crescent Meditours provide for the development of medical infrastructure, investment attraction and expanded scientific cooperation.
Under the master plan, educational, scientific and medical facilities will be concentrated in a separate district of Alatau City, where an academic campus with branches of foreign universities and a multidisciplinary medical cluster is planned.
An important part of the London program was meetings with representatives of the British political and government leadership. Baroness Catherine Ashton, Chancellor of the University of Warwick and former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, spoke at the investment roundtable.
Kanat Bozumbayev and Baroness Catherine Ashton at a meeting in London
Later, the delegation met with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Lord Stewart Wood. The parties discussed the participation of British businesses in infrastructure and technology projects, as well as the development of cooperation in energy, industry and the digital economy.
At a joint meeting with Ministers of State Lord Anas Sarwar, Chris McDonald and Kanishka Narayan, the main focus was on opportunities to apply British technologies, scientific developments and artificial intelligence solutions to the development of Alatau City.
Summing up the UK leg of the roadshow, Kanat Bozumbayev stressed that the government’s priority would be the practical implementation of the agreements reached.

“Our task now is to implement the agreements we have reached. We will support each project, assist in attracting financing and see it through to launch,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Day 3
The visit continued with meetings in Berlin’s government quarter. At the Federal Chancellery, Kanat Bozumbayev met with Chancellor’s adviser on international economic policy Levin Holle.
Levin Holle and Kanat Bozumbayev
A key topic of the talks was the creation of a Kazakhstan–Germany investment and financial platform initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his visit to Germany in September 2026.
Infrastructure and industrial projects in Alatau City were proposed as pilot projects for the platform. Such a mechanism would expand opportunities to attract German financing and ensure the participation of German companies in project implementation.
The delegation then met with Olaf Joachim, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building. The parties discussed the use of modern construction technologies and energy-efficient solutions.
Meeting with Olaf Joachim, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building
In the afternoon, the Alatau City Investment Round Table was held with the participation of the German Eastern Business Association and the Federation of German Industries (BDI).
Kanat Bozumbayev presented the city’s investment opportunities, its main development priorities and the advantages of its special legal regime, which provides investor protection mechanisms and investment incentives.
Separate talks were held with BDI Executive Board member Wolfgang Niedermark. The parties discussed the possible participation of German companies in implementing the Roadmap for Industrial, Technological and Raw Materials Cooperation for 2026–2028, as well as the establishment of new production facilities in Alatau City.
Kanat Bozumbayev speaks at the roundtable
During meetings with representatives of dena, Henkel, SVEVIND Energy, Textima and other companies, the parties discussed prospects for localizing production, developing energy and water infrastructure, expanding industrial cooperation in mechanical engineering, and creating a multidisciplinary medical center.
Kristina Haverkamp, Managing Director of the German Energy Agency dena, noted the significant potential for German companies to participate in the project, particularly in the field of energy-efficient construction.

“We were very encouraged to hear President Tokayev make it very clear that he sees Alatau as having the potential to become a sustainable city. That means building a city to very high standards of energy efficiency. And I am confident that this is where many opportunities for cooperation between Germany and Alatau will emerge,” she emphasized.

As a result of the Berlin leg, 11 cooperation agreements were signed in the areas of industrial production, mechanical engineering, construction, medical infrastructure, urban security and unmanned technologies.

Day 4
On November 5, the delegation arrived in Frankfurt am Main for the final stage of the European roadshow.
As part of the program, Kanat Bozumbayev met with AKA Bank CEO Mark Wengrzik. This was followed by the third Alatau City investment roundtable, attended by representatives of international banks and companies.
The key result of the Frankfurt stage was the signing of agreements with AKA Bank and KfW, Germany’s state-owned development bank. The documents provide for financing investment projects and purchasing German equipment.
A total of seven agreements were signed in Frankfurt am Main.
AKA Bank CEO Mark Wengrzik noted significant prospects for German banks and industrial companies to participate in the development of Alatau City. According to him, the project creates opportunities both for the export of German products and technologies and for companies’ direct participation in investment projects.
He named the timely development of the necessary infrastructure as one of the key conditions for attracting businesses.
During separate meetings with representatives of WILO, Zrinski Solutions, Myron AG, Nikolaus & Co. and Schneider Group, the parties discussed the development of engineering and service infrastructure, the production of medical devices, asset tokenization and investment consulting.
This was followed by talks with representatives of international financial institutions. KfW IPEX-Bank, which specializes in export and project financing, was represented by Ekaterina Galitsyna, Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
She noted that Alatau City’s special legal regime could become one of the project’s key competitive advantages in attracting international capital.

“For international investors, this is an undeniable advantage: a special tax regime, a special legal framework, tailored regulation and the incentives provided. When assessing the risks of a particular project, financial institutions, both Western and Eastern, naturally look at the legislation and regulatory framework in force. So in this regard, I believe the Government has taken a major step forward,” Galitsyna said.

Ekaterina Galitsyna, Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the South Caucasus
In her assessment, the largest amount of international financing will be required for major infrastructure and transport projects, as well as for the creation of processing facilities involving international companies within the city’s special economic zone.
Borislav Ivanov-Blankenburg, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bank for Central and Eastern Europe, also took part in the talks.
From agreements to implementation
The European roadshow concluded with the signing of 27 agreements with a combined investment potential of more than $2 billion.
The agreements reached cover a wide range of areas — from financing transport, energy and utility infrastructure to establishing industrial enterprises, developing educational and medical institutions, and introducing digital and unmanned technologies. The partners include international banks, industrial and technology companies, leading universities and healthcare organizations.
Here are the agreements signed in each of the three cities:
London — 9 documents

Agreement between the Alatau City Authority and the EBRD.Subject of the agreement: infrastructure and investment projects in Alatau City.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority and UK Export Finance.Subject of the agreement: financing projects involving British companies.
Joint statement by Kanat Bozumbayev and the London Stock Exchange.Subject of the agreement: holding the Kazakhstan Investment Forum at the LSE in 2027, with Alatau City as its theme.
Joint statement by the Alatau City Authority and Standard Chartered.Subject of the agreement: financing infrastructure projects.
Letter of intent between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the University of Exeter.Subject of the agreement: opening a University of Exeter branch in Alatau City.
Letter of intent between the Alatau City Authority and Brighton College.Subject of the agreement: opening a Brighton College branch in Alatau City.
Letter of intent between the Alatau City Authority and Repton Group.Subject of the agreement: opening a Repton Group branch in Alatau City.
Cooperation document between the Alatau City Authority and Crescent Meditours.Subject of the agreement: healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Cooperation document between the Alatau City Authority and AstraZeneca.Subject of the agreement: healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

Berlin — 11 documents

Agreement between the Alatau City Authority and W.I.S. Sicherheit + Service.Subject of the agreement: security standards and a security management center.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority and Multirotor.Subject of the agreement: drone infrastructure, certification and a pilot project.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority and Alpine Diagnostics.Subject of the agreement: creation of a medical cluster based on Swiss standards.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority, dena and GLB-engineering.Subject of the agreement: establishment of a Competence Center for Energy-Efficient Construction.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority, EBAWE and GLB.Subject of the agreement: GLB precast reinforced-concrete construction facility.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority, TEKA and GLB.Subject of the agreement: GLB construction facility.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority, WECKENMANN and GLB.Subject of the agreement: GLB construction facility.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority, SOMMER and GLB.Subject of the agreement: GLB construction facility.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority, Tulip plant and GLB.Subject of the agreement: GLB construction facility.
Agreement between GMS Holding and TTi.Subject of the agreement: tourism facilities; GMS will be responsible for design and EPC.
Agreement between Railway System KZ and MTU Rolls-Royce.Subject of the agreement: mechanical engineering.

Frankfurt am Main — 7 documents

Agreement between the Alatau City Authority and Nikolaus & Co.Subject of the agreement: legislation on tokenization.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority and Myron AG.Subject of the agreement: tokenization of inventories and accounts receivable.
Agreement between GMS Holding and WILO.Subject of the agreement: establishment of a Wilo service and engineering center.
Agreement between GMS Holding and Zrinski Solutions.Subject of the agreement: production of medical devices.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority, Alatau City Bank and AKA Bank.Subject of the agreement: financing projects and purchases of German equipment.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority, Alatau City Bank and KfW.Subject of the agreement: financing projects and purchases of German equipment.
Agreement between the Alatau City Authority and Schneider Group.Subject of the agreement: investment consulting services.

The next stage will involve structuring the projects, determining financing mechanisms and moving toward practical implementation.
In the near term, work is expected to continue with UK Export Finance to identify priority projects for attracting British companies and banks. With German partners, the parties will work out financing mechanisms for infrastructure, production localization and equipment supplies.

“The most important thing about this roadshow is not the immediate result of $2 billion, but the fact that we now have basic agreements and understandings in place. This, of course, could increase the volume of future investment threefold or even fivefold,” Kanat Bozumbayev said.

Thus, Alatau City is taking shape as a modern center of business activity, industry and innovation, open to long-term cooperation with international partners.