The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is preparing to expand a successful co-financing model pioneered in Kazakhstan, aiming to replicate the approach across other developing economies.

Speaking at the session “Technical Assistance as a Catalyst for Investment: The Perspective of International Development Banks” during the annual meeting and business forum of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) in Almaty, ADB Country Director for Kazakhstan Utsav Kumar highlighted the growing impact of the initiative, The Caspian Post reports via Report.

Kumar said that ADB has been implementing the model in Kazakhstan since 2013 through the Knowledge and Experience Exchange Program (KEEP), which combines technical assistance with shared financial responsibility.

Under the program, ADB and the Kazakh government jointly fund projects through a cost-sharing mechanism that requires at least a 50-50 contribution from both sides. The model supports knowledge transfer, institutional capacity building, and the preparation of investment projects.

ADB now plans to introduce the approach in additional countries, particularly those with upper-middle-income economies, where stronger local participation can help maximize the impact of development assistance.

Kumar said one of the key strengths of the model is that it creates shared ownership and accountability between governments and international financial institutions. It also enables ADB to leverage not only its own expertise but also the experience of other developing member countries.

The bank continues to work closely with Kazakhstan’s government agencies and sectoral institutions to refine joint financing mechanisms, reinforcing the country's role as a testing ground for innovative development solutions.