Kazakh parliament ratifies World Bank loan agreement for rural internet expansionThe Senate, the upper house of Kazakhstan’s parliament, adopted Thursday the Law on Ratification of the Loan Agreement (Kazakhstan Digital Acceleration for an Inclusive Economy Project) between Kazakhstan and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).The bill has been sent to the president of Kazakhstan for signature.The loan agreement between Kazakhstan and the IBRD was signed on December 12, 2024 in Astana, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and the Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev said earlier while presenting the bill to the Majlis, the lower house.The project is aimed to provide high-speed internet access to approximately 2.3 million residents across 1,123 villages in the country.According to the financing terms and conditions, 42 billion tenge is to be borrowed by the Kazakh government and another 42 billion tenge is to be provided by private investors.The loan facility, denominated in Japanese yen, carries a 1% interest rate. The minister confirmed the project will be fully implemented by 2028 before repayment begins, with the debt scheduled to be settled by 2035. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX