The International Finance Corporation (IFC) intends to develop projects in Kazakhstan with a total value of about $3 billion in 2026-2031. Approximately 60% of the financing is planned to be attracted from private investors, while the remaining 40% will be provided by the corporation's own funds, according to the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The plans were discussed on October 21 during an online meeting between Aset Irgaliyev, adviser to the president and chairman of the agency, and Imad Fakhoury, IFC regional vice-president for the Middle East and Central Asia.
Since 1993, the corporation has invested more than $2.9 billion to support 115 private sector projects in Kazakhstan. Now the IFC expects to expand cooperation and its project portfolio in the country.
Meeting participants reviewed opportunities for cooperation in transport infrastructure and the water sector. In particular, they discussed attracting private capital to implement infrastructure projects.
Special attention was paid to public-private partnership. According to the agency, this mechanism allows attracting investment and improving the quality of design, construction and operation of facilities throughout their entire life cycle.
One of the practical steps was a consulting services agreement signed on October 16 by Kazakhstan's Ministry of National Economy and the World Bank Group. The document was concluded within the framework of the Joint Economic Research Program of Kazakhstan (JERP).
The work envisages removing institutional and procedural barriers, preparing public-private partnership development programs in priority sectors and forming investment proposals.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their interest in developing partnership and promoting projects aimed at attracting private capital and developing Kazakhstan's infrastructure.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote that the new World Bank Country Framework Program for Kazakhstan for 2026-2031 envisages infrastructure development and improving economic resilience. One of its directions will be creating more favorable conditions for the development of a productive and innovative private sector.