General information about the EBRD

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was established in 1991 to help build a new, post-Cold War era in Central and Eastern Europe. The EBRD is committed to furthering progress towards market-oriented economies and the promotion of private and entrepreneurial initiative.

With an emphasis on working with the private sector, Bank invest in projects, engages in policy dialogue, and provides technical advice that fosters innovation and builds sustainable and open-market economies. The EBRD provides direct financing for well-structured, financially robust projects of all sizes (including small and medium-sized businesses), both directly and through financial intermediaries such as local banks and investment funds. The Bank works mainly with private sector clients, but also finances municipal entities and publicly owned companies. Principal financing instruments are loans, equity investments and guarantees.

The EBRD maintains close policy dialogue with governments, authorities, international financial institutions, and representatives of civil society across all countries of operation and provides targeted technical assistance using funds donated by its shareholders.

The Bank, which became fully aligned with Paris Agreement, is committed to promoting environmentally and socially sound and sustainable development. It wants to make sure that its projects are socially and environmentally sustainable, respect the rights of affected communities, and are designed and operated in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and best international practices.

The EBRD member-countries

The EBRD is a multilateral bank that promotes the development of the private sector and entrepreneurial initiative in 36 economies across three continents. The Bank is owned by 71 countries as well as the EU and the EIB. EBRD investments are aimed at making the economies in its regions competitive, inclusive, well-governed, green, resilient and integrated. Kazakhstan became a member-country of the EBRD in 1992.

The EBRD and Kazakhstan

The EBRD has been supporting the economy of Kazakhstan for 30 years. In Kazakhstan, we focus on diversification, balancing the role of state and market and sustainable energy. Recently we signed a comprehensive Partnership Agreement with Kazakhstan under which we will co-invest in the economy together with the government.

Last year the Board of Directors of the EBRD approved a new strategy for Kazakhstan, setting out its priorities in the country for the next five years. They will be based on the following three pillars:

•       Fostering private sector competitiveness, connectivity and strengthening economic governance   
•       Supporting Kazakhstan’s green pathway to carbon neutrality and climate resilience
•       Promoting economic inclusion and gender equality through private sector engagement

The EBRD has to date invested almost € 10 billion in Kazakhstan through 312 different projects. Number of active portfolio projects in Kazakhstan is 113 totaling € 2.8 billion of which the main portfolio of projects falls on the sustainable infrastructure (70 per cent). Investments in the private sector reached 46 per cent of the active portfolio in Kazakhstan.