What happened
According to Inbusiness.kz on 30 September 2026, citing the Aktobe regional akimat, the Aktobe SEZ will gain three sub-zones totalling 337 hectares in the Khromtau, Mugalzhar and Alga districts. The basis is Government Resolution No. 687 of 31 July 2026.
The resolution text
The resolution was published on the Prime Minister's official website on 5 August 2026. It is titled "On amendments to the Government resolution of 8 January 2025 No. 3 'On the creation of the special economic zone Aktobe'". It rewrites paragraph 1 of the SEZ Regulation: the zone lies in Aktobe region along the "Southern Bypass" road in the south of Aktobe city, on 1,610 hectares, including Aktobe International Airport named after Aliya Moldagulova and sub-zones in the Alga, Baiganin, Mugalzhar and Khromtau districts; the SEZ is a port SEZ. The Regulation's annex (boundaries) and the SEZ's target indicators are restated. The resolution takes effect on the day of signing.
The three new sub-zones (per the akimat)
Mugalzhar district: 137 ha south of Kandyagash; utility connection points have been identified.
Khromtau district: 120 ha, the territory of the planned industrial zone of Khromtau city, now included in the SEZ.
Alga district: 80 ha; work continues on determining utility supply, connection points and technical conditions.
A discrepancy in area
Inbusiness.kz and Elemnews.kz report that the SEZ grows from 858 to 1,195 hectares. The resolution text states a total of 1,610 hectares. The sources do not explain the difference; this article relies on the resolution text, and readers assessing a specific plot should check the boundaries in Annex 1 to the resolution.
Rules related to this news
- 外国人能否成为边境类经济特区（与欧亚经济联盟关境重合）的参与者No.Text and legal basis →
- Where is the Aktobe SEZ and how large is it?The Aktobe SEZ was created by Government Decree No.Text and legal basis →
- “霍尔果斯—东大门”经济特区的位置、面积与定位The regulation on the Khorgos – Eastern Gate SEZ was approved by Government Decree No.Text and legal basis →
Participants and entry
According to the akimat, domestic and foreign investors can become participants of the Aktobe SEZ, and industrial clusters are planned on the new sites. Under Article 18(1) of the Law "On Special Economic and Industrial Zones" No. 【待核实：文号】 of 3 April 2019, a participant operates under an activity agreement, for which the applicant files an application with the management company.
What it means for Chinese investors
First, the choice of sites has widened: the planned Khromtau industrial zone has been included in the SEZ. Second, utility supply in the Alga district is still being determined, so connection conditions for a specific plot should be confirmed with the akimat or the management company. Third, entry conditions and support measures are governed by law and the management company's requirements; this is not legal advice.
Sources: Inbusiness.kz, https://inbusiness.kz/ru/last/novye-promyshlennye-ploshadki-dobavili-k-odnoj-iz-sez-v-rk; Official information resource of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Resolution of 31 July 2026 No. 687, https://primeminister.kz/ru/31072026-687; Elemnews.kz, https://elemnews.kz/pravitelstvo/se-z-aktobe-rasshiryaetsya-na-337-gektarov
https://inbusiness.kz/ru/last/novye-promyshlennye-ploshadki-dobavili-k-odnoj-iz-sez-v-rk
Key facts
- Kazakhstan Government Resolution No. 687 of July 31, 2026, amended the regulations on the Aktobe Special Economic Zone and added three new subzones with a total area of 337 hectares.
- The text of the resolution states that the Aktobe Special Economic Zone is located in Aktobe Region, has a total area of 1610 hectares, and is a port-type special economic zone.
- The Aktobe Special Economic Zone contains the Aliya Moldagulova Aktobe International Airport and subzones in four districts: Alga, Baiganin, Mugalzhar, and Khromtau.
- The new subzone in Mugalzhar District has an area of 137 hectares, is located south of Kandyagash, and connection points to the utility networks have been determined.
- The new subzone in Khromtau District has an area of 120 hectares and is intended for the planned Khromtau city industrial park; the new addition in Alga District is 80 hectares, and engineering infrastructure is still being determined.
- According to the Aktobe Region government, both domestic and foreign investors may become participants in the Aktobe Special Economic Zone, and the newly added land is also planned for the development of industrial clusters.
FAQ
Which subzones have been added to the Aktobe Special Economic Zone?
According to the Aktobe Region government, three new subzones—Khromtau, Mugalzhar, and Alga—have been added, with a total area of 337 hectares, pursuant to Kazakhstan Government Resolution No. 687 of July 31, 2026.
What is the total area of the special economic zone?
The text of the resolution states that the total area of the zone is 1610 hectares, including Aktobe International Airport and subzones in four districts. Some media reports give an area different from the resolution text; the text does not explain this, and when assessing specific land plots, the boundary map in the annex to the resolution should be taken as authoritative.
Can foreign investors become participants in the special economic zone?
According to the regional government, both domestic and foreign investors may become participants in the Aktobe Special Economic Zone. Under the relevant rules, participants carry out activities under an activity contract concluded with the management company, and applicants submit applications to the management company.
For which new subzone is the engineering infrastructure still being determined?
For the Alga subzone, engineering infrastructure, connection points to utility networks, and technical specifications are still being determined. For the Mugalzhar subzone, connection points to the utility networks have been determined.
What incentives are available upon entering the zone?
The text does not list specific incentives. The conditions for entering the zone, incentives, and procedures are governed by the relevant laws and the requirements of the management company; this article does not constitute legal advice.