The UAE Ministry of Investment has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan and the Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna with the goal of enhancing the digital infrastructure in Kazakhstan. This partnership aims to invest in data centre and artificial intelligence (AI) projects in the country. This collaboration comes at a time when Kazakhstan's data centre industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased demand for computing resources and progressive government policies.

It is projected that the country's data centre market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.83 percent between 2024 and 2028, resulting in a market volume of USD 416.7 million. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the UAE and Kazakhstan seeks to establish robust and efficient collaboration through the development of bilateral relationships between public and private organizations. In addition, the agreement aims to introduce incentives to bolster relevant initiatives and facilitate the exchange of knowledge.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, emphasized the UAE's commitment to further strengthening relations with Kazakhstan and working together to realize a shared vision for economic advancement. Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna, JSC, highlighted the pivotal role that the development of data centres plays in Kazakhstan's technological advancement and economic development. This partnership is part of the broader goal of establishing an industrial partnership for sustainable economic development in the region.

The executive committee of this partnership has already made significant progress, with several projects in the advanced stages of feasibility and implementation. The addition of the Kingdom of Morocco to this partnership further enhances its potential to accelerate sustainable economic growth and development through strategic planning. The collaboration between the UAE and Kazakhstan represents a model of successful regional partnerships that is aimed at strengthening relations between countries and leveraging competitive advantages. This integrated industrial partnership is poised to contribute to enhancing integration and growth in the industrial sector on the regional level, supporting efforts for sustainable economic development.