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Published: 29 January 2015 г.
EBRD’s ?11 million loan and a ?8 million grant from the European Union to guarantee better service for a cleaner Kyrgyz capital
The Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, with a population of 1.2 million, is improving the management of solid waste thanks to an EBRD sovereign loan of ?11 million signed in 2013. The European Union (EU) continues to support the project with grant funding totalling now of ?8 million provided under its Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA).
The operation aims at improving the city’s solid waste services, establish new solid waste collection points throughout the city, upgrade the collection fleet, build an urgently needed sanitary landfill – the first EU compliant landfill in the region – and close the existing waste dump.
The financing is for the benefit of the municipal solid waste company Tazalyk and a special purpose company which will manage the new landfill and is expected to improve the level of public service, introduce waste recycling and help preserve a cleaner and safer environment.
In addition to these funds, the EBRD, the EU and the Czech Republic are providing close to ?2 million for technical assistance. The assistance will comprise corporate development for Tazalyk and the new landfill management company.
Larisa Manastirli, Head of the EBRD Resident Office in the Kyrgyz Republic said: “The EBRD is committed to improve the country’s municipal services and infrastructure by investing to introduce modern facilities and management skills. This grant will be critical in supporting the first EBRD solid waste project in the Kyrgyz Republic and improve life in its capital.”
Johannes Madsen, the Head of Operations at the EU Delegation in Bishkek: “The project is a great example of how the cooperation between European financial institutions and the European Union enables EU taxpayers to effectively address the most vital infrastructure needs in Kyrgyzstan”.