Baku, Azerbaijan, March 30
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
The EBRD has appointed Agris Preimanis new Director for Kazakhstan, the bank said in a message March 30.
The announcement was made today in Almaty, the country’s largest city, during a high-level visit led by EBRD First Vice President Phil Bennett.
Agris Preimanis, a Latvian citizen, studied at the University of Oxford and holds a DPhil in financial economics. He joined the EBRD in 2010 and served as Regional Lead Economist, Central Asia, since 2014. In this position Dr Preimanis moved to Almaty and developed close links with EBRD partners in Kazakhstan in government and business supporting policy engagements and investment in the country.
Preimanis replaces Janet Heckman, who was promoted EBRD Managing Director for Southern and Eastern Mediterranean in January. He will continue to be based in Almaty.
After entering into an innovative Enhanced Partnership Framework Arrangement with the Government in 2014, the EBRD has been investing at record levels in Kazakhstan. To date, the bank has invested over $8 billion with a focus on diversification of the country’s economy. The EBRD is the largest financier in the non-oil/gas sectors in Kazakhstan. The bank is also an active supporter of the country’s strategy to reform and develop more competitive industries, including financing for renewable energy projects where it has recently agreed a $200 million renewables framework.
The EBRD Advice for Small Business programme, supported by the Government, is working with thousands of small and medium-sized businesses across the regions of Kazakhstan. In addition to offices in Almaty and Astana, the EBRD also has 5 smaller offices focusing on small business in the regions.
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