Melco Resorts in talks with Kazakhstan prime minister on Alatau City tourism infrastructure
The parties discussed how international investors could participate in projects planned for Alatau City.
Kazakhstan.- Melco Resorts & Entertainment has been in discussions over potential tourism infrastructure investments in its planned Alatau City development. According to a Friday press release issued by the Kazakh government, talks took place during a meeting between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Melco Resorts chairman and chief executive officer Lawrence Ho, who was accompanied by the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, Geoff Davis.
During the meeting, the parties reviewed prospects for expanding tourism infrastructure and discussed how international investors could participate in projects planned for Alatau City, a large-scale development being built north of Almaty.
Formerly known as Zhetigen, Alatau is being developed as a tourism hub targeting more than 4 million annual visitors. Its Green District will include hotels, entertainment and gaming facilities. Casino gambling is already legal in designated parts of the Almaty region.
Bektenov said a new Constitutional Law “On the Special Legal Regime of Alatau City” will enter into force on July 1 to establish mechanisms for engaging with investors. Ho said Melco views Kazakhstan as a market with considerable tourism potential and expressed interest in exploring joint development opportunities. The meeting concluded with an agreement to strengthen bilateral business ties and continue exploring opportunities to develop tourism infrastructure in Kazakhstan.
