Kazakhstan, Astana, Dec. 29 / Trend A. Maratov /
JSC Kazatomprom, its subsidiary LLP MAEC-Kazatomprom and Natixis Bank signed two agreements to draw loans worth $ 32 million for a period of 11.5 years, with a grace period of two years, the national company said.
"This loan is granted under the warranty coverage of the French government's export credit agency Coface. It will be used for delivery of two desalination plants (GTPI - 2 and 3) ", Kazatomprom said.
The international consortium of French company SIDEM and GMMOS-Kazakhstan will be the supplier, while the Kazakh Company, which was registered in Aktau in 2004, will produce about 30 percent of the work and equipment on site.
The construction will continue for 36 months from the date of financing, and the first desalination plant, having a capacity of 12,000 tons per day, will be installed and put into operation by late 2012, with another similar installation by late 2013.
French desalination plants provide are 30 percent more economical compared to other desalination plants, with their frame made of steel duplex and tubes made of titanium and brass, and a guarantee of 30 years.
The Atomic Company Kazatomprom is the national operator of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the import and export of uranium, rare metals, nuclear fuel for power plants, special equipment and dual-purpose materials. The company's stock is completely owned by the government under the National Welfare Fund, Samruk-Kazyna. At present, over 25,000 workers are employed by the company, which is also one of the world's leading uranium mining companies.