Israel’s Mekorot expands in Kazakhstan with water infrastructure deal worth potentially tens of millions
The Israeli national water company has signed its second agreement in Kazakhstan, targeting the modernization of regional water infrastructure through advanced monitoring and control technologies.
Israel’s national water company, Mekorot, is expanding its business operations in Kazakhstan after signing a second memorandum of understanding (MoU), this time with the administration of Abai Province in the country’s east. The agreement could lead to contracts worth tens of millions of dollars.
The agreement was signed during a business conference organized by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister.
The project will focus on modernizing the region’s water infrastructure through digital monitoring, advanced metering systems, remote operations and centralized command and control technologies. The initiative is currently at an early stage, with the parties mapping local infrastructure needs and assessing potential investments.
Abai Province, which borders Russia and China, covers approximately 185,000 square kilometers and has nearly 600,000 residents. Its economy relies heavily on mining, manufacturing and natural resources. The region’s size, dispersed population and aging infrastructure present significant challenges for water management and long term supply planning.
The new agreement follows Mekorot’s recent completion of a strategic water master plan for Almaty, Kazakhstan’s second largest city. The plan establishes a 30 year framework for developing and managing the city’s water infrastructure.
Kazakhstan has become part of Mekorot’s broader strategy to expand its international business by exporting Israeli expertise in water infrastructure planning, resource management and advanced technologies.
The company is also active in Azerbaijan, Argentina, India and Cyprus, while pursuing additional business opportunities across Europe and Asia.
The potential value of projects under the new agreement is estimated at several tens of millions of dollars, although no binding contracts or final investment commitments have been announced.
Mekorot declined to comment.