EBRD and Switzerland to support water and wastewater infrastructure development in Kyrgyzstan city

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Switzerland will jointly provide €5.2m for upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure in Naryn city of Kyrgyzstan.

The Government of Switzerland has agreed to provide grants of €3.2m, and EBRD has contributed €2m for the project which is aimed to modernise the water and wastewater services in the city.

A portion of the investment is expected to be spent to prevent huge water losses in the city while the remaining will be used for upgrading the water and wastewater infrastructure.

Both the parties have also agreed to provide technical expertise to the Naryn Water Company, the municipal water company in the city, which is home to around 36,000 people, in order to improve its financial and operational management.

EBRD president Suma Chakrabarti said: "The modernisation of water and wastewater services in Kyrgyz cities is a priority for the EBRD’s work in the country and the Bank has developed a dedicated financing facility for the purpose.

"We are proud that our investment, together with a capital grant from the Government of Switzerland, will improve people’s lives in yet another Kyrgyz city."

Switzerland ambassador in the Kyrgyz Republic René Holenstein said: "Switzerland is thrilled to foster its support to water supply and sanitation in the Kyrgyz Republic.

"The signature of the bilateral agreement for the Naryn Water Project underlines the strong relationship that Switzerland and the Kyrgyz Republic have built up over the past years. It also highlights the EBRD’s and Switzerland’s willingness to make a difference in the country".

---

Image: Grant from the Government of Switzerland and EBRD loan help improve water and wastewater services for around 36,000 people. Photo: courtesy of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.