Zoellick visits Kyzylorda region

23 June 2008

World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick praised Kazakhstan for its role in reviving the Aral Sea, on a recent visit to the region.

During a visit to Kazakhstan on June 18-20, 2008, World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick traveled to the Kyzylorda region, noting the success of the Syr Darya Control and Northern Aral Sea project, which provided Kazakhstan with a $64.5 million loan. According to the World Bank, the project’s construction of a 13-kilometer dike, completed in 2005, has led to a rise in the number of fish catches in 2007. The World Bank and Kazakhstani government are negotiating a second phase to build an additional dike and a second project to improve water use efficiency in agriculture.

On the same visit, the World Bank disclosed plans to help finance a $2.5 billion road project to connect Shymkent to Aktobe, making it the Bank’s largest infrastructure project in Central Asia. The road is part of a broader Kazakhstani effort, known as the Western Europe-Western China road, to connect the country’s transport system to China. According to Interfax news, a substantial portion of the road goes through the Kyzylorda region. Construction is expected to begin in May 2009.

Sources

$2.5 Billion Road Project (World Bank website)

Kazakh Fishermen Boost Fresh Fish Catches (World Bank website, Acrobat pdf)