DP World signs MoU with Government of Kazakhstan to develop SEZ in Aktau

Jan 16, 2017: DP World has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Kazakhstan for the development of a special economic zone in Aktau further boosting trade and logistics in the country.

It builds on DP World’s present management advisory services contract with the Port of Aktau, Kazakhstan’s main cargo and bulk terminal on the Caspian Sea.

DP World also provides similar services under a separate contract with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company for the development of the Khorgos Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Inland Container Depot (ICD).

Both parties will be exploring opportunities to work together on the Aktau SEZ development project while adding shipping capacity on the Caspian Sea. The projects are part of Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev’s five-year economic policy, ‘Nurly Zhol’, focused on the development of transport and logistics, energy and industrial infrastructure, as well as of small and medium-sized businesses.

The partnership also includes the development of a range of existing and new projects to support the Government of Kazakhstan’s efforts to attract private investment for its transport infrastructure, including the Port of Aktau.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO, DP World Group, said, “Kazakhstan is an important location along the New Silk Way – a trade corridor that will benefit economies of the world. New and efficient infrastructure is needed to realise seamless cargo movement with multi-modal transport links essential for profitable growth. To attract investors there is a need to find innovative ways of working together with a focus on infrastructure provision, developing financial markets, mitigating risks and eliminating red tape.”

“The development of Special Economic Zone in Aktau will stimulate economic growth of the country, and more importantly – it will make Kazakhstan the largest transport and logistics hub in Central Asia. We are delighted to have the opportunity to continue sharing our ports and logistics expertise with the government to develop the country’s modern logistics hubs as engines for economic development and to enable trade across the region.”

The MoU was signed by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group and Akim Alik Aidarbayev, Governor of Mangistau, in the presence of first Deputy Prime Minister, Askar Mamin.