Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov of Kazakhstan recently engaged in a strategic meeting with the World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, Tatiana Proskuryakova, to discuss ongoing and future collaborations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Bank, an official information source of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.
The focal points of the discussions revolved around joint projects in economic development, digitalization, environmental protection, and other critical sectors. Prime Minister Smailov highlighted the successful implementation of 48 joint projects totaling over $8bn over the past 30 years, with six active projects currently in progress.
Smailov expressed the Kazakh government's commitment to furthering cooperation with the World Bank, emphasizing that the partnership aims to support ongoing reforms in Kazakhstan, promoting inclusive and sustainable development. Notably, he cited the Joint Economic Research Program, a longstanding initiative that has successfully operated for more than two decades.
"The Government of Kazakhstan is determined to further deepen cooperation with the World Bank," remarked Prime Minister Smailov.
In response, Tatiana Proskuryakova noted the Organization's intensified efforts to prepare new projects in Kazakhstan, citing the successful negotiations that took place in August of the previous year. She specifically mentioned the Government's program to connect remote communities to the Internet as a significant upcoming initiative.
"I think this will be a very good example for all Central Asian countries. I think Kazakhstan's role as a regional leader will be strengthened," Proskuryakova stated.
The partnership between Kazakhstan and the World Bank is outlined in the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), developed to guide investment programs and technical assistance from 2020 to 2025. The CPF aligns with the government's reform program and Kazakhstan's 2050 development strategy, focusing on inclusive growth, strengthening human capital, and achieving sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon growth.
The cross-cutting theme of more effective governance and strengthened market and social institutions underlies these focus areas. Since 2003, the World Bank's Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) under the Joint Economic Reform Program (JERP) have played a crucial role in supporting Kazakhstan's strategic priorities, addressing development gaps in growth, governance, and public service delivery.
The JERP is designed to ensure strong government ownership while enhancing the World Bank's contribution to Kazakhstan's development beyond financial support, emphasizing a client-driven knowledge agenda and the incorporation of international experience.
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