Kambar-Ata-1: The World Bank may sign an agreement before the end of the year
The agreement with the World Bank on the allocation of the first tranche for the construction of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 will be signed by the end of this year. This was announced at a press conference in Bishkek by the Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakyt Sydykov.
According to him, Kambar-Ata HPP—1 is an investment project that will move the economy forward.
“Its feasibility study has now been prepared, and in addition, a trilateral agreement (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. — Editor’s note), a draft interstate agreement is being developed. According to our forecasts, an agreement on the allocation of the first tranche from the World Bank will be signed by the end of the year,” he said.
Recall, the other day in Washington, within the framework of the spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, a meeting was held between Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliev and World Bank Regional Director for Infrastructure Charles Cormier.
The key topic of the negotiations was the promotion of the strategic project of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1. Adylbek Kasymaliyev stressed that the construction of the hydroelectric power station is of particular importance for the energy security of Kyrgyzstan and the entire Central Asian region, and also expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its support, noting Cormier’s personal contribution to the implementation of the project.
According to the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, the government of Kyrgyzstan has already attracted an international company to develop an intergovernmental agreement with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It is expected that the updated feasibility study and environmental assessment will be completed by May 2025. This will make it possible to submit the project for consideration by the Board of Directors of the World Bank in September–December of this year.
Charles Cormier confirmed the World Bank’s readiness to continue its comprehensive support of the project, calling it an important element of the sustainable development of the region.
The parties expressed confidence in further strengthening of partnership and successful implementation of joint infrastructure initiatives.
