Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso during her visit to Astana to participate in the 37th Plenary Session of the Foreign Investors’ Council.

The meeting focused on cooperation in the development of transport infrastructure, green energy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), agriculture, information technology, and other sectors.

“President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pays particular attention to the role of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which is actively engaged in developing Kazakhstan’s national economy and modernizing its infrastructure. We work closely with you across many areas and highly value the strategic nature of our partnership. Our focus is on transforming economic development to ensure quality growth and enhance the well-being of our population. Just last year, we signed 25 new projects together worth a record $935 million across promising sectors. The Government of Kazakhstan reaffirms its readiness to deepen cooperation with the EBRD across a wide range of mutually beneficial areas,” Olzhas Bektenov said.

Last year, the EBRD more than tripled its annual investment in Kazakhstan’s economy. A total of 25 projects were signed, including the construction of new wastewater treatment facilities and related infrastructure in Aktobe, and the first large-scale public-private partnership (PPP) project for the construction of a 630-bed multidisciplinary hospital in Kokshetau. A key emphasis was placed on supporting SMEs through advisory services and credit lines provided via local financial institutions. Currently, the EBRD’s active portfolio in Kazakhstan includes 129 projects worth over $3.2 billion, with 75% of the investments directed toward the sustainable infrastructure sector. In total, the partnership has supported 340 projects valued at $11.6 billion.

During the meeting, the sides also reviewed a project to build a new power substation in Astana to enhance electricity reliability and meet the capital’s growing energy needs. Particular attention was given to the joint development of Kazakhstan’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) platform, which will serve as a key mechanism for attracting green investment into the energy sector.

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso highlighted the record increase in EBRD investments in Kazakhstan last year and confirmed the Bank’s interest in deepening cooperation and jointly implementing sustainable economy projects. The EBRD also expressed its readiness to support projects under Kazakhstan’s National Infrastructure Plan through 2029.

As part of the meeting, an agreement was signed between JSC “NC KazAvtoZhol” and the EBRD to finance the reconstruction of a 234-kilometer section of the Aktobe–Ulgaisyn highway. The road will be upgraded to a first technical category with four lanes, with a total project length of 262 kilometers. This project is vital for improving transport connectivity and facilitating transit flows across Kazakhstan.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Infrastructural development #Investments #President's instruction

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