Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

Businesspeople, officials advance plans to continue Alakol Resort’s development

Businesspeople, officials advance plans to continue Alakol Resort’s development

The Kazakh government is investing in the Alakol Lake coastal zone and its infrastructure. Entrepreneurs and state body representatives recently discussed the prospects and challenges of developing the resort.

East Kazakhstan Region Akim (Governor) Danial Akhmetov participated in the talks during his working trip to the Urdzhar district. He noted the regional akimat (administration) will begin implementing several large infrastructure projects in the next year. Akhmetov emphasised representatives of small and medium-sized businesses must fulfil their obligations and pay taxes.

Improving the Alakol Lake coast has been ongoing since 2016, significantly expanding the recreation area. At present, 333 tourist facilities provide services to guests, including 175 holiday homes and two hotels. The area also has 29 shops, 56 booths, ten cafés, four bars, two restaurants, eight canteens, two pharmacies and a water park.

A recent audit found 38 entrepreneurs who have not paid taxes, said East Kazakhstan State Revenue Department Deputy Head Yerzhan Ktanov. In 2018, businesspeople paid 67.5 million tenge (US$174,400) in taxes to the district budget and this year, the figure is expected to increase 48 percent to 100 million tenge (US$258,400). Instances still remain, however, where recreation facility owners provide inaccurate information about their income and accordingly, evade taxes.

Plans are underway to execute projects worth 30 billion tenge (US$77.5 million), said Urdzhar District Akim Serik Zainuldin. Authorities will begin with shore protection by placing wave breakers parallel to the shore 100-150 metres from the coastline. The project, based on the experience Kazakh contractors gained while building the Aktau seaport, will also involve strengthening approximately two kilometres of the coast.

Authorities plan to build water supply networks and intake facilities, as well as sewer networks, treatment facilities and filtration fields. A 110-kW electricity transmission line will be added to ensure stable electrical transmission from Makanchi village to Koktal.

The Urdzhar Airport runway will be lengthened up to 2,100 metres and widened up to 45 metres, providing aircraft the ability to enter the lane from two directions. Up-to-date light-signalling equipment with high-intensity bulbs will be installed.

Authorities will also be building a new terminal with a capacity of 70 passengers per hour and refurbishing the administrative premises of the existing building. The airport will subsequently be able to accept narrow-body aircraft with up to 70-80 seats.

“For two years, we have invested a lot of money in the development of the coast. In the next four years, we will invest even more so that not only domestic but also foreign tourists can come here and relax in comfort,” said Akhmetov.

He noted the resort has a roadway problem which will also be corrected.

“Today, there is one problem – the road from Ust-Kamenogorsk through Kalbatau through Semey to Ayagoz – but within two years, the repair will be completed. A 2.6-kilometre cycle track will be built from the village of Kabanbai to the Alakol Lake. All necessary state support is provided to entrepreneurs; therefore, businesspeople must pay taxes with full responsibility,” he added.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
UAE Offers Free ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions to Citizens
Lebanon Initiates Plan to Disarm Palestinian Factions
Iran and U.S. Make Limited Progress in Nuclear Talks
The Daily Debate: The Fall of the Dollar — Strategic Reset or Economic Self-Destruction?
Trump Administration's Tariff Policies and Dollar Strategy Spark Global Economic Debate
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Startup for $6.5 Billion to Build a Revolutionary “Third Core Device”
Turkey Weighs Citizens in Public as Erdoğan Launches National Slimming Campaign
Saudi-Spanish Business Forum Commences in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia and Spain Sign MoU to Boost SME Sectors
UK Suspends Trade Talks with Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
Iran and U.S. Set for Fifth Round of Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finland Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Scholar Arrested in Crackdown Over Pakistan Conflict Commentary
Israel Eases Gaza Blockade Amid Internal Dispute Over Military Strategy
President Biden’s announcement of advanced prostate cancer sparked public sympathy—but behind closed doors, Democrats are in panic
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
Michael Jordan to Serve as Analyst for NBA Games
×