The unidentified Jordanians "plan to participate in the development of the Kenderli tourist zone, in which $1.5 billion will be invested," Nazarbayev said after a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in comments on his web site.
The Kenderli resort will cover 1,700 hectares and will feature an aquarium, water park, open-air theater and 21,000 hotel beds, according to a statement on the web site of the Mangistau regional administration. The government says the resort will attract 300,000 tourists, mostly from Kazakhstan, per year.
Kazakhstan's economy has grown an average of 10 percent per year since 2000, triggering a construction boom.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.