A few large shopping malls expected to be opened in Atyrau in near future

By Zulfiya Bainekeeva

"Forum Atyrau" Shopping Mall DesignThe Turkish shopping center development and investment industry leader ‘Turkmall” has published on its website the information about implementation of two shopping mall projects in Kazakhstan under the brand names “Forum Atyrau” and ”Forum Almaty” (http://en.turkmalls.com/news.asp?tag=News). 

“Kazakhstan is one of the favourite locations for Turkish investors investing abroad. Providing a favourable investment and business climate, Kazakhstani is the most rapid growing country of the region and offers great opportunities for investors” -  reads the press release.

Developed jointly by Turkmall and Isker Group in Atyrau, Kazakhstan,” Forum Atyrau” will be located on a unique 100,000 m2 of land, surrounded by raceways, on the road that connects the city to the airport. Planned to be the only centre of attraction in the region, Forum Atyrau is designed to meet the expectations of both locals of the region and foreign people dwelling in Kazakhstan.

“Forum Atyrau” will be a centre of attraction with its high-qualified brand mix, pleasant shopping atmosphere, and social activities as well. 19,800 m2 out of total 39,000 m2 is reserved for retail in Forum Atyrau. The centre will include a hypermarket, a cinema, restaurants and cafes, and a sports center as well.  The project is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

The shopping mall will be located in Zhety Kazyna district of the city. Unlike its Turkish partner that seems to be very confident in its public statements, the Kazakh partner of the project - the company “Isker” withheld comments.

In the same press release Turkmall mentions about uniqueness of the project and that could be disputed, since December last year the company Chagala Group informed about the agreement reached with Ideal supermakets’ network owner for the construction of “Laguna Centre” shopping mall. The project was scheduled for completion in 2014. It will be the first stage of large-scale development plan that will house shopping centers, restaurants, fitness- centrs, cinema theaters and office spaces.

I also could not get any comments to the idea of construction of “Mega” shopping mall in Atyrau (similar to ones that operate in other cities of Kazakhstan) that became the subject of discussion in the last two years.