Kazakhstan, UAE Sign $1.1B Deal to Develop Astana Airport Aerotropolis

Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a $1.1 billion long-term investment agreement to develop Astana International Airport and its surrounding aerotropolis, which will include a second runway, a third passenger terminal, a cargo terminal, and a multifunctional complex with industrial, logistics, and business facilities. The project also involves modernizing airport equipment, implementing digital and automated systems, and providing internationally certified training for airport personnel. In addition to airport development, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in road transport, exchanging technical knowledge and aligning regulations. This agreement was part of broader bilateral talks that also included green energy initiatives, such as a 500 MW energy supply project and up to 2 GW energy storage systems with Masdar, along with the establishment of a supercomputer cluster in Kazakhstan to advance scientific research and innovation. The cooperation extends to motor transport, justice, digital transformation in oil and gas, and large-scale infrastructure projects, aiming to strengthen Kazakhstan's role as a regional transit and logistics hub. Notably, the partnership marks the first exploration of supercomputer use for climate modeling and big data analysis in energy and transportation, highlighting a forward-looking scientific and technological collaboration.