In the modern world, the competitiveness of countries is determined not by industries, but by cities. Today's investments come in the country and in the city.
Competition is between cities. Cities already generate more than 80% of the world's GDP. Cities are where people, resources, and capital are concentrated. The growing influence of cities is a key global trend.

In this regard, Kazakhstan needs to stimulate the processes of urbanization and contribute to the formation of several major world-class cities. They will contribute to the formation of a single market on the territory of the country and act as a gateway to the global economy. The development of the city of Shymkent plays an important role in achieving this goal.

The role and functions of the city of Shymkent in the long term reflected in the strategic documents of the first level, the Concept on Kazakhstan's joining the top 30 developed countries of the world, the Strategic development plan of Kazakhstan up to 2025, the Forecast scheme of territorial-spatial development of the country till 2020 and State program of infrastructure development "Nurly Zhol". According to the main directions reflected in these documents, Shymkent should become one of the four hub cities, the center of the Shymkent agglomeration and the most powerful growth point in the South of the country.