Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, will provide up to US$33 million in financing to Eurasia Group to expand its agricultural machinery service network in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The project includes the construction of four energy-efficient service centres, the development of farmer training programmes and improved access to modern agricultural machinery, the IFC said.
The initial financing package will total US$18 million, including US$15 million for Kazakhstan and US$3 million for Kyrgyzstan. A further US$15 million may be provided later to support the expansion of Eurasia Group’s business in Kazakhstan.
The funds will be used to build three service centres in Kazakhstan — in Astana, Pavlodar and Petropavlovsk — and one in Bishkek. The latter will become the first dedicated John Deere service centre in Kyrgyzstan.
Financing will be provided in euros and local currencies. According to the parties, this approach will help Eurasia Group reduce foreign exchange risks.
The new infrastructure is expected to improve farmers’ access to genuine spare parts, maintenance and prompt repairs. The project will cover approximately 1,700 farms in the two countries.
Eurasia Group has operated in the region since 2002 and is a distributor and exclusive dealer of John Deere. The company employs more than 600 people. According to the project participants, the investment is expected to support around 1,600 direct and indirect jobs.
Farmer training and the introduction of new technologies and digital tools will be among the key areas of cooperation. These efforts are expected to improve agricultural productivity and the efficiency of machinery use.
Mustafa Zahin, President and CEO of Eurasia Group AG, described the company’s expansion in Kazakhstan and the opening of Kyrgyzstan’s first dedicated service centre as an important milestone for the business and farmers in the region.
He said IFC’s support would bring machinery and services closer to farmers while enabling further investment in skills development and knowledge transfer.
Wagner Albuquerque de Almeida, IFC Regional Director for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services in the Middle East and Central Asia, said modern service centres could help farmers increase productivity, improve the well-being of rural communities and adapt to climate change.
All four facilities are planned to be certified under the IFC EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) green building standard. Project estimates indicate that this could reduce the buildings’ energy consumption by 20% and prevent approximately 1,674 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Eurasia Group also said it was working to improve workplace safety and expand career opportunities for women. Women currently account for around 26% of the company’s workforce.
