EBRD to invest €1.3 billion in Kazakhstan in 2026 - presidentThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expects to invest €1.3 billion in Kazakhstan this year, the highest annual figure since it began operating in the country, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said Thursday.Renaud-Basso met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the sidelines of the 38th plenary session of the Foreign Investors' Council in Astana, Tokayev's press service said."Kazakhstan is one of our most important countries of operation. Investment activity is very high this year. We've already signed agreements on projects worth over $1 billion. With more in the pipeline, we expect total investment to reach €1.3 billion this year, which would be our highest annual figure since we began operating here," Renaud-Basso said.She confirmed the bank's readiness to support Kazakhstan in developing infrastructure, transport links, irrigation and the energy sector.The EBRD plans to focus on supporting the private sector, developing small and medium-sized businesses, and financing investment projects. Investments in critical raw materials are a priority, she said.The two sides also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in digitalization and artificial intelligence.The EBRD is ready to support the development of an innovation ecosystem to drive Kazakhstan's digital transformation, she said.Tokayev welcomed the signing of a framework partnership agreement between the Kazakh government and the EBRD to expand cooperation on sustainable development.Over the past 30 years, the EBRD has invested more than €11 billion in Kazakhstan across 354 projects. The bank's current portfolio in the country includes 131 projects worth over €3.1 billion. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX