Almaty, Kazakhstan, January 14, 2015—IFC,
a member of the World Bank Group, is advising the Kazakhstani government
on a landmark public-private partnership (PPP) transaction that will lead
to the creation of a bypass route north of Almaty. The new motorway is
expected to help improve trade links and regional integration in Kazakhstan.
The 66-kilometer toll road will be financed,
built, operated and maintained by a private company, the first PPP of its
kind in Kazakhstan’s road sector. IFC is advising the Ministry of Investments
and Development on an international tender – launched January 14 - to
select the private investor-operator. The road, which will cost an estimated
$680 million, is expected to reduce travel times around Almaty and greatly
improve access to markets for local businesses, stoking economic development.
The road is expected to reduce travel
times by up to an hour, handling transit traffic and serving commuters
from three districts neighboring greater Almaty, the country’s key administrative
and commercial area. It will also be an important part of the Western China
- Western Europe transport corridor, the New Silk Road creating an alternative
to sea-based connections and turning Kazakhstan into an important global
logistical hub.
“The toll road will help move traffic
smoothly around Almaty and benefit thousands of people, increasing road
safety, relieving congestion, and cutting transportation costs,” said
Moazzam Mekan, IFC Regional Manager for Central Asia. “It will
also help jump-start private sector investment in Kazakhstan’s infrastructure
sector, exemplifying how public-private partnerships can help meet country’s
infrastructure needs.”
The project is a part of Kazakhstan’s
effort to develop its transport infrastructure, which is a national priority
for the government. The winning private sector company will also collect
tolls on behalf of the government. The project is part of a wider IFC effort
to encourage economic growth in Kazakhstan by strengthening the financial
sector, improving access to infrastructure, and promoting the development
of small and medium enterprises.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development
institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private
enterprises in about 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and
influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.
In FY14, we provided more than $22 billion in financing to improve lives
in developing countries and tackle the most urgent challenges of development.
For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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