Photo: Respublica party press office
More than 25 billion tenge has been earmarked to reinforce Lake Alakol’s shores in the Abai and Zhetisu regions, the Respublica party’s press office said on November 13. At a roundtable held by the party’s faction in the Kurultai, participants discussed concerns raised by business owners and experts that the chosen designs may fail to protect the shoreline in the long term.
What happened
MP Yekaterina Smolyakova outlined business owners’ concerns about the project on Alakol’s eastern shore. They believe the engineering designs do not adequately account for strong winds and waves, pressure from ice and soil conditions. She also highlighted the risk of losing natural beaches.
Smolyakova asked the government bodies responsible to explain how well the chosen shore protection methods suit the lake’s conditions. MPs, representatives of central and local government bodies, industry associations, tourism companies and experts took part in the discussion.
A man in a blue suit sits at a desk with a monitor, microphone and laptop. · Photo: Алия Енсе
What this means for the shoreline
Smolyakova raised the prospect of further spending from the state budget. “The main question is whether the project will provide long-term protection for the shoreline or whether, in a few years, the state will have to allocate money again to deal with the consequences,” the MP asked.
Party chairman Aidarbek Khodzhanazarov set out the faction’s goal: to preserve Alakol’s natural wealth and develop it as a tourism destination. The investment, he said, should deliver “preserved beaches, protected infrastructure and sustainable development of the resort area”.
A woman in a blue blazer speaks at a lectern in a meeting hall. · Photo: Алия Енсе
Issues discussed ahead of the recommendations
Roundtable participants discussed whether the chosen methods were justified and how much the projects would cost. They also raised questions about quality guarantees and contractors’ accountability.
In the press release, the faction cites the president’s address of October 28, 2026: public investment should deliver economic and social returns, and National Fund money should go where it will do the most good. In the same address, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed discussing a moratorium on small business inspections. raem.kz examined how the National Fund is replenished through the example of revenue from high oil prices.
Participants also discussed the results of the 2026 tourist season and preparations for the 2027 season, covering roads, transport access, utility infrastructure and holidaymakers’ safety.
Following the discussion, recommendations are to be prepared for the government and the state bodies responsible.
A woman in a blue suit speaks to journalists in front of microphones. · Photo: Алия Енсе
A man wearing glasses speaks into a microphone at a meeting table. · Photo: Алия Енсе
A woman wearing glasses speaks into a microphone at a meeting. · Photo: Алия Енсе
Meeting participants at a table, with a man speaking into a microphone. · Photo: Алия Енсе
A man in a suit speaks at a wooden podium with a microphone. · Photo: Алия Енсе
