The loan will finance a comprehensive investment programme which has been devised following a feasibility study by international experts which was funded from the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund. The investment programme is focused on improving the efficiency and quality of the service. It includes, among others, the rehabilitation of the water network, the replacement of parts of the sewage system and the installation of frequency controllers.

The improvements will significantly benefit the living standards of the population of Shymkent, the fourth largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population of almost 550,000. TOO Vodnye Resursy Marketing is providing water and wastewater services in most areas of the city and suburbs and servicing both residential and industrial clients. With almost 70 industrial enterprises, Shymkent is one of the leading commercial centres in Kazakhstan.

TOO Vodnye Resursy Marketing is a privately-owned company which in recent years has successfully introduced measures towards a commercial water business while working closely with the population to win acceptance for the changes. The company has introduced metering, but has also been systematically replacing pipes and fighting leaks.

Jean-Patrick Marquet, EBRD Director for Infrastructure, said “our loan will not only fund our partner’s ambitious investment programme. What is more this will lay the foundation to achieve the company’s objective to become a utility of the highest international standards.”

Mr Anarbek Orman, General Director, TOO Vodnye Resursy-Marketing: "Currently the water and waste water systems of all cities of Kazakhstan and CIS are obsolete and require financing. The solution could be in the form of long term loans. The EBRD long term loan will help to address imminent problems and help with further development of water and waste water infrastructure of our city. This project is not only a breakthrough project for our city, but also for all water supply companies in Kazakhstan and CIS countries.

Since the beginning of its operations in Kazakhstan in 1991, the EBRD and its partners have invested around $6 billion in more than 100 projects in the country and EBRD today is the largest single investor in Kazakhstan outside the oil and gas sector40.