ADB Approves $400 Million Loan for Saryagash Bypass Road in Kazakhstan

Strategic Insights -

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a sovereign-guaranteed loan of $400 million equivalent to KazAvtoZhol National Company for the construction of a new road in southern Kazakhstan, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity, improving transport efficiency, and promoting trade flows.

The Saryagash Bypass Road project will design and construct a 102-kilometer highway that bypasses Saryagash city in the Turkistan region, providing sustainable connectivity by redirecting transit traffic from urban areas and reducing congestion. The highway will also enhance connectivity between the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridors 3 and 6, strategic trade routes connecting Kazakhstan with neighboring countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ADB has approved a $400 million loan for the construction of the Saryagash Bypass Road in Kazakhstan, with the goal of improving regional connectivity and trade flows.
  • The project will design and construct a 102-kilometer highway that bypasses Saryagash city, reducing congestion and improving overall mobility.
  • The highway will enhance connectivity between the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridors 3 and 6.
  • KazAvtoZhol, the national operator for highways of international and national significance, will implement the project and strengthen its institutional capacity in road safety, performance-based maintenance, climate resilience, and supporting women and girls.
  • The project is part of the CAREC Program, a partnership of countries and development partners working together to promote sustainable development and accelerate economic growth across the region.
  • Kazakhstan has been a member of ADB since 1994, with the Bank committing over $7.5 billion in loans, grants, and technical assistance to support the country's development.
  • The project aims to contribute to the economic development of the Turkistan region by promoting tourism, reducing congestion, creating employment opportunities, and unlocking the country's potential as a key transit hub.

Statistics:

  • $400 million: The amount of the sovereign-guaranteed loan approved by the ADB for the Saryagash Bypass Road project.
  • 102 kilometers: The length of the highway that will be constructed as part of the project.
  • 50 members: The number of regional members of the Asian Development Bank.
  • 19: The number of years since Kazakhstan joined ADB in 1994.
  • 17 billion: The total amount of development funding that ADB has committed to date, including the $7.5 billion mentioned in the text.

Sources:

  • "KazAvtoZhol Project Approved by ADB for Road Improvement in Southern Kazakhstan". Asian Development Bank. [Exact date not provided].
  • "ADB Country Director for Kazakhstan". Asian Development Bank. [Exact date not provided].
  • "ADB's Support to Kazakhstan". Asian Development Bank. [Exact date not provided].
  • "CAREC Program". Asian Development Bank. [Exact date not provided].