Results
- 5.5 million residents along the Western Europe–Western China corridor in Kazakhstan have been connected through better road infrastructure since 2009.
- Two road projects created 50,000+ construction jobs and 1,200 permanent road maintenance positions, spurring regional development and curbing youth migration. The projects focused on training, new qualifications, and equitable conditions for women, becoming a catalyst for social mobility.
- Retail trade in the project area surged by 50%, and wholesale trade increased by 640% within three years of the roads’ completion.
- In surveys, 43% of beneficiaries said the project led to better job and income opportunities; 93% said it led to a higher quality of life.
- Between 2009 and 2020, residents who feel optimistic about their future in the area rose from 20% to 83% – primarily due to new jobs, better access to employment, and transformative improvements for businesses.
The Challenge
Kazakhstan holds a strategic position between China, Europe, and the Middle East, but has historically been underutilized as an economic and transit bridge because of poor connectivity across the country. This has not only hindered Kazakhstan’s ability to leverage its geographical advantage, but also led to pronounced regional disparities. Lack of efficient transport links contributed to unequal access to employment, education, healthcare, and social and cultural opportunities. Transit costs were high in terms of time, finances, and vehicle wear and tear, which posed significant obstacles to international commerce and stymied local socioeconomic progress, particularly in the southern regions. These challenges disproportionately impacted women, who faced greater unemployment and suffered from high maternal mortality rates because they could not quickly reach medical care. These issues were compounded by persistent underinvestment and limited institutional capacity within the road sector, which further impeded the development of robust transportation infrastructure
WBG Approach
The World Bank supported two modern road corridors in Kazakhstan, with a combined length of almost 2,000 kilometers. The South-West Road Project (SWRP) and East-West Road Project (EWRP) supported modernization of both the Western Europe–Western China and the Center–South transit corridors. The development of these routes is accelerating sustainable, equitable economic growth in Kazakhstan. The projects invested in new road infrastructure; they also provided technical assistance to improve maintenance and safety standards, and to boost the transport sector’s financial sustainability by introducing tolls. Additionally, the World Bank supported the establishment of two authorities to ensure that the new roads were sustainably managed: KazAvtoZhol, a national highway management company, and the National Center for Quality of Road Assets. KazAutoZhol models performance-based remuneration for state employees, promoting efficiency and accountability in public services management.
