Innovation zone: production of metering systems launched in the SEZ PIT “Alatau”

Production of heat, electricity, and water supply metering systems has been established in the “Alatau Park of Innovative Technologies” Special Economic Zone.

The manufacturers use their own software developments for transmitting and processing data from metering devices, as well as systems for monitoring incoming information. They also operate an accredited laboratory for meter calibration and a service center. To date, AMR/AMI projects have already been implemented in Zhezkazgan for 28,000 metering points, and the products are in high demand both in the regions of Kazakhstan and in Russia, Belarus, and Uzbekistan.

The company’s workshops located in the SEZ PIT “Alatau” occupy a total area of 1,500 sq. m. Currently, 55 specialists work here. The organization’s investments in equipment, including high-tech machinery, have already exceeded 160 million tenge. According to the company’s management, the opportunities and preferences provided by the state to SEZ participants help expand the production base and create tax, marketing, and geographical incentives for growth.

They note that the share of Kazakhstani content in the company’s goods and services currently stands at 60–63%. The new SEZ participants plan to increase this figure.

“Previously, the company was located in the city of Karaganda,” said its director Bekzhan Kaliyev. “We chose the SEZ PIT ‘Alatau’ because of its convenient location near a major metropolis, convenient logistics—allowing easy delivery of goods to Uzbekistan, China, and other countries—and the availability of qualified local engineering and technical personnel. In addition, all operational issues within the SEZ PIT are resolved promptly, including financial matters. Here, we can produce not only metering devices. Our modern equipment also allows us to manufacture anti-vandal installations, metal cabinets, plastic products, and various types of packaging. As orders increase, we plan to expand our workforce, purchase new equipment, and build additional facilities here.”

Currently, the Park of Innovative Technologies has 143 resident companies, of which 92 operate under the principle of “extraterritoriality” (outside the SEZ territory), while 51 are located within the SEZ “PIT.” Since the park’s establishment, its participants have created more than 4,600 jobs, attracted over 42 billion tenge in investments, paid 28.3 billion tenge in taxes and other budget payments, produced goods worth 366.5 billion tenge, and achieved export volume of 3.9 billion tenge.

The article was published in issue No. 80 on July 14, 2022, in the newspaper “Vecherniy Almaty” under the title “Innovation Zone.”