ADB's loans for Kazakhstan for supporting policy of reforms equal at present to $512 m

/Kazakhstan today, December 23, 02/ - At present Asian development bank has given Kazakhstan loans for $512 m for supporting policy of reforms. About this today, December 23at the press-conference in Astana the director of ADB's representatives in Kazakhstan Kazukhiko Khiguchi informed journalists. He noted that ADB had given Kazakhstan 13 loans for realization of 9 projects, and also presented about $21.4 m more as grants for realization of 41 projects of technical aid for strengthening of institutional reforms. "ADB is in Kazakhstan in order to help your country to develop, and we work with the Government of Kazakhstan as the partner of development", - noted Kazukhiko Khiguchi. According to his words, at present ADB develops mid-term strategy and a program of aid to Kazakhstan for 2003 - 2005. Major directions of this program will be development of private sector, improvement of human development, natural resources management and promotion of regional economic collaboration. Kazukhiko Khiguchi did not call the sum, which ADB may give to Kazakhstan in the nearest future, just having noted that "we will examine all Government's offers". Asian development bank was founded in 1966 by the initiative of the countries of Asian and Pacific ocean's regions. At present 61 countries, 45 of which are Asian-Pacific ocean regions, are ADB's members. Kazakhstan is ADB's member since 1994. [2002-12-23]