Established in 1966, Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a major source of development financing for the Asia and Pacific region. With more than $17.5 billion in approved financing, and 2,800 employees from 59 countries, ADB - in partnership with member governments, independent specialists and other financial institutions - is focused on delivering projects that create positive economic and development impact. ADB headquarters is located in Manila, Philippines.

Kazakhstan became an ADB member in 1994. ADB supported Kazakhstan through its difficult transition from being a centrally administered, to a more market-driven economy. ADB has assisted Kazakhstan in focusing its efforts on sustaining higher growth rates, promoting environmentally friendly development, supporting the private sector, and increasing cooperation with its neighbors. This partnership has grown and prospered significantly over the years.

At the end of 2011, cumulative public sector loan commitments to Kazakhstan totaled US$2.34 billion. This covers 20 loans in agriculture and natural resources, education, finance, transport and communications, water supply and sanitation, and irrigation. Loan operations were complemented with 65 technical assistance (TA) projects totaling approximately $28 million.

In recent years, ADB operations have focused on water supply, road transportation, budget support, private sector, SME and urban development. To support the government’s State Drinking Water Sector Program, 2002–2010, ADB provided a US$34.6 million loan in 2004 for basic water supply services and a capacity-building program to improve living/health conditions in Akmola and North and South Kazakhstan. The Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Transport Corridor project Western Europe – Western People’s Republic of China under a $700 million Multi-tranche Financing Facility (MFF) aims to improve a major transport corridor across Kazakhstan, linking it with its eastern and western neighbors, as well as opening up north-south routes into and out of the country.

In 2009, ADB supported Kazakhstan in mitigating the impact of the global financial crisis with a US$500 million loan. This loan supported the government’s crisis-mitigation action plan and its employment-generation program and helped Kazakhstan finance its budget deficit. In 2010, an SME Investment Program Tranche 1 project to enhance efficiency and competitiveness of the financial sector and SMEs was approved as part of a US$500 million MFF.

Recent knowledge support includes a capacity development TA of US$650,000 for SME development and an energy efficiency diagnostic study to identify investment priorities totaling US$200,000. Kazakhstan also participates in a number of ongoing regional TA projects.

ADB’s private sector operations in Kazakhstan began in 2006, and have historically focused on the banking sector, with 5 private sector financing initiatives totaling US$375 million. Past experiences and lessons with the banking sector have been recognized and will need to be addressed and reflected on in future operations. Near-term ADB private sector financing prospects are in infrastructure.

Kazakhstan is one of the 4 founding partners of the CAREC Program started in 1997 (together with Kyrgyz Republic, People’s Republic of China, and Uzbekistan). Since then, six other countries have joined the partnership. Four of the six CAREC road and rail corridors traverse Kazakhstan, and developing these Central Asian corridors is a priority in achieving the vision of land bridges connecting Europe and East Asia, and Russia and South Asia/the Middle East.

A new country partnership strategy (CPS) to guide ADB operations during 2012-2016 is now being prepared. The CPS proposes to support Kazakhstan in diversifying its economy and becoming more competitive. It seeks to build on the pillars of regional cooperation, private sector operations, inclusive growth, and knowledge exchange. Under the CPS, ADB’s support will focus on energy, transport, urban and finance/SME sectors. Important corporate level cross-cutting themes include regional cooperation, gender, environment and climate change, good governance, and private sector development.

The Kazakhstan Resident Mission (KARM) was opened in 1998 and provides the primary operational link between ADB and the government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in its activities. KARM engages in policy dialogue and acts as a knowledge base on development issues in Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan government agency handling ADB affairs is the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

Contacts

Kazakhstan Resident Mission (KARM)
12 Samal, Astana Tower Business Center, 20th Floor, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Tel .: +7 7172 325053/325054, Fax : +7 7172 328343

KARM Office in Almaty
Arai Building 2nd Floor, 20A Kazybek Bi Street, 050010 Almaty, Kazakhstan
Tel.: +7 727 320 1901,-02,-03, Fax: +7 727 320 19 11

ADB Headquarters
6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel +63 2 632 4444, Fax +63 2 636 2444
information@adb.org

Useful ADB websites:
Asian Development Bank: www.adb.org
Country website: www.adb.org/Kazakhstan 
email: adbkarm@adb.org 
Asian Development Outlook: www.adb.org/documents/books/ado/2011/ado2011-kaz.pdf
Annual Report: www.adb.org/Documents/Reports/Annual_Report/2010/default.asp