Feb 14, 2026
- Continuing the discussion from the expanded
government meeting, President Kassym- Jomart Tokayev called for a major reset
of Kazakhstan's special economic zone, saying their current model has run its course.
Despite significant funding plans, he warned that without structural reform,
financial injections alone will not deliver results So, how can institutional guarantees
translate into investor confidence, new industries, and the future city? Kazakhstan’s
new Constitution, for the first time, enshrines special economic and legal
regimes for the Astana International Financial Centre and the city of Alatau.
What does this mean for long-term investment stability and investor confidence,
mr.
Wong?
- Well,
as you know, today there are many other countries that are trying to attract investments.
So the the current new constitution that is being considered by Kazakstan will
certainly enhance investors confidence. And I think most of the investors will
look at it strategically and they will welcome add to be enshrined into the new
constitution.
- Based
on your experience with major urban and infrastructure projects across Asia,
what are the benefits of protecting these special regimes at the constitutional
level?
- Well,
by protecting the special economic regimes in the constitution will make a lot
of things a bit more certain. Yeah, investors like certainty and because a lot
of the investments are long-term, they don't like surprises during the period
in which the investments are in the country. So by enshrining the special economic
zones into the constitution will ensure there is a certain level of
transparency as well as a certain level of certainty and certainly that will
help Kazakhstan to attract investments into the country.
- To
what extent do you think this new draft constitution gives this insurance and
in what sense and have you seen any examples of this as well in other
countries?
-There
are not a lot of countries that make this strategic move by enshrining it into
the constitution. And I think this is certainly a very innovative and it comes
at a very good time, as you know today the geopolitical environments are different
the economies are different. And therefore I think by doing so, Kazakhstan is
really ahead of the other countries.
- In
terms of development of the city of Alatau, how will in your development plan
change according to this draft constitution if Kazakhstan will approve it?
- Well,
I I don't think we will change the way in which envision Alatau city to be.
Alatau city is envisioned to be the hub for central Asia. And it's meant to
attract new industries, new industries such as the low attitude economy.the
drones, the robot taxis. And of course autonomous cars as well as new financial
industries like crypto currency, tokens for
assets and so on. I think it will bring new skills set to Kazakstan and
therefore elevate the Kazakhstan economy and a little bit diversify it itself
from the traditional sources of revenue.
Read more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTrbG0TpMR0