During the bilateral meeting, a number of topical issues of mutually beneficial cooperation in implementing major infrastructure projects were discussed. Since 1993, in Kazakhstan, the EBRD has financed 222 projects for a total of about 7.3 billion euros.
Gulshara Abdykalikova noted that the Head of the State attaches great importance to cooperation with international financial institutes. The task is set to expand cooperation with international financial institutions with an emphasis on actualization of large infrastructure projects.
The Secretary has emphasized that the EBRD Cooperation Strategy in Kazakhstan for 5 years will strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as balancing the role of the state and the private sector; expanding access to finance, strengthening the banking sector and developing local capital markets; strengthening interregional interaction and international integration; and assistance in the transition to a green economy.
The parties expressed satisfaction with the current dynamics of bilateral cooperation development and discussed the implementation of EBRD projects in the natural resources and energy sector, in particular gender equality and the role of women in this sector.
It was also noted that, as part of the Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the EBRD, the "Woman in Business" Program is being implemented. To date, loans have been extended to more than 7,000 SMEs in the amount of KZT 5.8 billion. Together with financing, the EBRD also provides access to know-how and helps SMEs headed by women to actualize management practices and technologies.
At the end of the meeting, the Secretary of State congratulated Nandita Parshad on assuming the post of Managing Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and invited her to take part in the forthcoming international forum "Women for Future Energy", which will be held this August 31 as part of EXPO-2017.