Satellite communications, AI and smart cities on the Kazakhstan–Israel agenda

Gilat and satellite communications for remote areas

On 30 November 1999, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange reported, citing Kazakhtelecom, on a satellite communications project for 120 remote and hard-to-reach settlements. A contract with Israel’s Gilat Satellite Networks to supply and install the satellite system had been signed a year earlier. At the time of publication, the technology was already in use in 52 settlements, with another 48 due to be connected by the end of the year.

Following Kazakhstan’s presidential visit to Israel, the government’s 2000 action plan called for continued cooperation with Gilat to develop communications in remote parts of the country. The document recorded continuation of an existing technological relationship.

In 2002, Gilat received two further orders through Astel, each for a 200-site satellite network, for Kazpost and the State Centre for Pension Payments. The networks were intended to support telephony, data transmission, internet access, email and electronic government services in rural areas.

In 2009, Gilat reported a contract with Kazakhtelecom for several hundred additional remote sites. The company later also reported integration of the satellite network with cellular infrastructure to expand coverage where terrestrial connections were difficult to provide economically.

The 2000 plan went beyond documented results

The government’s 2000 plan also envisaged involving Intel and Ormat in high-tech projects, programmer training and industrial initiatives. Corporate documents confirm that Ormat owned heat and electricity assets in Kazakhstan, sold in September 2002. This establishes the company’s presence. It does not, by itself, show that every provision of the plan naming Ormat as a possible participant in broader technological initiatives was implemented.

Smart cities and GIS returned to the agenda in 2025

On 7 March 2025, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Israel met Orhitec GIS, a developer of ERP/GIS systems for urban planning, municipal management and security. The company presented its solutions. The parties said they intended to discuss a partnership and prepare initial joint projects. The report names no Kazakhstani customer or system already put into operation.

Technology exchange works in both directions

At the Kazakhstan–Israel cooperation forum in Astana in April 2025, Kazakhstan’s BTS Digital presented Digital ID and the Qaztech cloud platform to Israeli government bodies and the technology community. Topics discussed included biometric identification, personal data protection, cyberthreats and government cloud platforms.

Digitalisation entered the economic agenda in January 2026

At the Kazakhstan–Israel business forum on 27 January 2026, digitalisation, innovation, IT and fintech were named as priority areas of cooperation. Participants discussed technology transfer, IT and high technology. Around 30 Israeli companies attended. The three commercial documents signed concerned water and municipal infrastructure involving Mekorot, construction of a bitumen plant, and renewable energy. The published list contains no separate agreement on AI, cybersecurity, fintech or smart cities.

Technology dialogue at Alem.ai in April 2026

During Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s official visit on 28 April 2026, he was shown Kazakhstan’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, a startup exhibition and digitalisation achievements. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Isaac Herzog also viewed the Astana Smart City project. The programme included a visit to the Alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Centre and a roundtable on innovation and technology.

Official reports confirm presentations of Kazakhstani projects and technology dialogue with the Israeli delegation. They do not describe Alem.ai as a joint centre or Astana Smart City as an Israeli project.

Contacts after Herzog’s visit

On 8 June 2026, the co-chairs of the Kazakhstan–Israel Intergovernmental Commission, Zhaslan Madiyev and Israeli minister Ze’ev Elkin, discussed preparations for its next meeting. Madiyev was Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. The commission’s priorities included digitalisation, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence alongside water resources, high-tech agriculture and medicine.

On 25 June, Kazakhstan joined Pax Silica and the AI Opportunity Partnership. Israel is also a Pax Silica participant. This is a multilateral platform rather than a separate bilateral project.

On 21 July, Kazakhstan’s ambassador met Shlomi Kofman, deputy head of the Israel Innovation Authority. The parties described the meeting as follow-up to understandings reached during the presidential visit in April. They discussed links between companies and support for joint technology projects.

In brief

• 1998 and 1999. Gilat deployed satellite communications for remote settlements in Kazakhstan. By November 1999, the technology was already in use at dozens of sites.
• 2000. Kazakhstan’s government action plan provided for continued cooperation with Gilat and recorded interest in Israeli high-tech companies.
• 2002. Gilat received orders for another 400 satellite sites for Kazpost and the pension payment system.
• 2009. Gilat’s network for Kazakhtelecom expanded by several hundred sites and was integrated with mobile infrastructure in remote areas.
• 7 March 2025. Orhitec GIS presented smart city and ERP/GIS solutions to Kazakhstan. The parties discussed preparing initial joint projects; a system entering operation has not been confirmed.
• April 2025. BTS Digital presented Digital ID and Qaztech at the Kazakhstan–Israel business forum.
• 27 January 2026. IT, fintech, digitalisation and technology transfer featured on the business forum’s agenda. The published signings concerned water, bitumen and renewable energy.
• 28 April 2026. Kazakhstani AI solutions, startups and Astana Smart City were presented to the Israeli delegation at Alem.ai.
• 8 June 2026. The commission’s co-chairs discussed preparations for its meeting and technology priorities.
• 25 June 2026. Kazakhstan joined Pax Silica and the AI Opportunity Partnership. Israel also participates in Pax Silica.
• 21 July 2026. Kazakhstan and the Israel Innovation Authority discussed links between companies and technology projects.