ArmInfo. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, chaired a meeting of the Council of the Eurasian Development Bank. The results of the organization's activities for 2025 were reviewed and a new Development Strategy for the bank for 2027–2031 was approved.
Olzhas Bektenov noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the EDB and emphasized that over its years of activity the bank has made a significant contribution to the development of the economies of its member states, expressing confidence in its continued dynamic development. Today the EDB brings together seven countries; in the bank’s accumulated portfolio at the end of 2025 there are 326 projects with a total investment volume of $19.6 billion, and together with funds attracted to projects by the bank’s partners, the total investment in the economies has exceeded $64 billion.
During the meeting, Council members of the EDB from Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan spoke. Chairman of the EDB Board Nikolai Podguzov reported on the Bank’s results for 2025. As of last year, the EDB’s investment volume reached $2.6 billion. The largest share of financing was directed to projects in the energy sector, the transport and logistics sector, and the chemical industry. The portfolio of “green” projects grew by 17% over the year, reaching $1 billion.
The EDB Technical Assistance Fund and the Digital Initiatives Fund also directed $40 million to projects for water conservation, accelerating the development of artificial intelligence technologies, development of the agro-industrial sector and other projects. Kazakhstan’s share in the current investment portfolio of the bank amounts to $4.2 billion, or 65%. At present, 46 projects are being implemented in the country with the bank’s participation. One of the agenda items was the early fulfillment of the current EDB Strategy for 2022–2026. By the end of the current year, accumulated EDB investments under the 2022–2026 Strategy are forecast at $12.2 billion compared to the planned $10.9 billion. Over 2022–2026, $5.2 billion were directed to Kazakhstan’s economy, which is comparable to the volume of investments over the previous 15 years.
The Council approved the new EDB Development Strategy for 2027–2031. Priority directions were defined as development of the transport and logistics complex, financing high-value-added industry, and attracting international capital for the implementation of large investment projects. Overall, implementation of the Strategy will contribute to the expansion of economic cooperation, increased investment activity and sustainable growth of the economies of the bank’s member states. Following the meeting, a number of decisions were adopted, including organizational and financial measures. At the proposal of Council members, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov was re-elected Chairman of the EDB Council, and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan Madi Takiev was reappointed as Deputy Chairman.
The Council also approved KPMG as the external auditor for the 2026 financial year. In addition, today in Almaty a business forum “Eurasia 2030+: Investment, Growth and New Opportunities” is being held, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the EDB. A welcoming address from the Chairman of the EDB Board of Directors, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, was read to forum participants. The address noted that under current conditions the Eurasian region has significant potential to expand trade, implement technologies and create new economic growth points. In this context, the special role of the EDB in strengthening economic cooperation and implementing large infrastructure projects that foster regional integration was emphasized.
At the same time, the foundation of sustainable growth in Eurasia in the coming years will be investments in human capital, innovation and economic interconnectivity. “The strategic course of President Kassym-Jomart Kemelovich Tokayev, aimed at building a Just and Progressive Kazakhstan, strengthening the rule of law, developing entrepreneurship and unlocking human potential, creates a solid foundation for investor confidence, modernization of the economy and expansion of international partnership. Today cooperation with Kazakhstan opens great opportunities for investors to implement joint projects.
The policy of ‘open doors’ for foreign investment remains a strategic priority of the country. Its solid basis is the provisions of the New Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which enshrine guarantees of property rights, freedom of entrepreneurial activity, fair competition and equality of all before the law. These principles are of key importance for investors and allow for the consistent improvement of conditions for doing business, protecting investments and implementing long-term projects,” reads the address from Olzhas Bektenov.
