Kazakhstan: South West Roads Project: Western Europe-Western

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

Kazakhstan: South West Roads Project: Western Europe-Western

China International Transit Corridor

IBRD Loan: US$2.125 billion

TERMS:  Maturity = 25 years; Grace = 5 years

Project Description:  The South West Roads project in Kazakhstan will help upgrade the trade route linking China to Russia and Western Europe through Kazakhstan, bringing a helpful economic stimulus to some of Kazakhstan’s poorest provinces. The project will boost Kazakhstan’s competitiveness and bring significant economic benefits to Kazakhstan, as well as to Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Much of the road network in Kazakhstan was constructed during the Soviet era and has significantly deteriorated since then due to lack of adequate maintenance.

Media Contact

Michael Jones

(202) 473-2588

Mjones2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org.kz/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=361869&menuPK=361904&Projectid=P099270