Investments in Kazakhstan’s water sector hit record 677 billion tenge

Funds are being directed toward the construction of reservoirs and canals vital for the country’s stable water supply, Qazinform News Agency reports citing the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

photo: QAZINFORM

In line with the President’s directive, the ministry continues to attract investment for the development of Kazakhstan’s water management sector.

After the ministry’s establishment, investment in 2024-2025 surged by 79% compared with the previous two‑year period. Total funding reached 677 billion tenge, nearly 300 billion tenge more than in 2022-2023, when 377.9 billion tenge was invested in the sector.

The funds are primarily allocated for the construction and modernization of water infrastructure, including reservoirs, canals, hydraulic structures, and other facilities essential for reliable water supply to the population and agriculture.

Among the projects financed through these investments are joint initiatives with the Islamic Development Bank aimed at building three reservoirs in the Zhambyl, West Kazakhstan, and Kyzylorda regions, as well as the construction of the Yessil counter‑regulator in Akmola region supported by the Asian Development Bank.

“Investments are being attracted to develop water infrastructure - construction, reconstruction, and modernization of reservoirs, canals, and other facilities. International cooperation goes beyond financial support; it also envisions the introduction of modern technologies, digitalization of the sector, strengthening of human and scientific capacity, and exchange of best practices,” said Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov.

Earlier, it was reported that the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation had reduced the number of long-delayed water infrastructure projects by 47 percent over the past three years, as the country accelerates efforts to modernize its water management system.