China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), which was involved in the construction of the light rail transit (LRT) system in Astana, is now considering launching a modular housing plant in Kazakhstan’s capital, renovating dilapidated housing across the country and participating in the development of the city of Alatau in the Almaty region, according to Samruk-Kazyna Construction.
«JSC Samruk-Kazyna Construction and China State Construction Engineering Corporation International (CSCEC International) signed a memorandum of cooperation. This strategic document, signed during the second meeting of the Central Asia–China Business Council in Astana, paves the way for the joint implementation of infrastructure projects based on innovation and mutual trust,» the company said in a statement.
The memorandum was signed by Samruk-Kazyna Construction CEO Maulen Aimanbetov and CSCEC International Chairman Gao Bo. The parties also discussed CSCEC’s potential participation in a national program aimed at renovating Kazakhstan’s aging housing stock. Given the scale of the project, Samruk-Kazyna Construction is seeking the most effective solutions to modernize engineering infrastructure in both large cities and small towns across the country.
«Renovating engineering networks and housing stock is a matter of national importance. People should live in warm, bright and safe homes with uninterrupted access to water, heat and electricity. We are ready to move forward in this direction together with CSCEC International,» Aimanbetov stated.
Kazakhstan is also showing interest in modular housing technologies, as CSCEC International has already successfully launched a modular housing plant in Austria. If a similar project is implemented in Kazakhstan, it could significantly reduce construction costs and provide the population with affordable and high-quality housing.
Additionally, the Chinese corporation presented a successful case study from Uzbekistan — the construction of New Tashkent, a city designed to accommodate 2 million residents and serve as the future home of government agencies. In this context, CSCEC International expressed strong interest in contributing to the development of the “Alatau” urban cluster in the Almaty region, which is aimed at boosting tourism, logistics, and international investment appeal
Following the meeting, the parties signed a second memorandum of cooperation focused on the planning and implementation of the «City Within a City» project — a large-scale initiative in Astana. It includes joint financing, design, construction and future operation of a new urban area. The project emphasizes sustainable development, digitalization and the enhancement of the urban environment. All aspects of the city, including engineering systems and public spaces, are expected to serve the «benefit of people.»
CSCEC International currently ranks ninth globally in terms of construction volume, with an annual turnover exceeding $300 billion. Founded in 1982, the company has undertaken large-scale projects in 34 countries, including Egypt’s new administrative capital and key infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, the UAE, and Kazakhstan. Over the past 40 years, CSCEC has served as the sole operator of many major state construction projects in China and manages key infrastructure and public facilities. In Kazakhstan, the company is best known for its role in building the Astana LRT.
