The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, will provide up to $33 million in funding to Eurasia Group to expand its network of agricultural machinery service centers in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
According to an IFC statement, this project involves constructing four energy-efficient service centers, developing training programs for farmers, and improving access to modern agricultural equipment.
The initial funding package will amount to $18 million, of which $15 million is designated for Kazakhstan and $3 million for Kyrgyzstan. An additional $15 million may be allocated later to support the expansion of Eurasia Group's operations in Kazakhstan.
The funds will be used to build three service centers in Kazakhstan—in the cities of Astana, Pavlodar, and Petropavlovsk—as well as one center in Bishkek. The latter will become the first specialized John Deere service center in Kyrgyzstan.
The financing will be provided in euros and local currencies, which, according to stakeholders, will help Eurasia Group mitigate exchange rate risks. The new infrastructure is expected to increase farmers' access to genuine spare parts, maintenance, and prompt repairs. The project will cover approximately 1,700 farms in both countries.
Eurasia Group has been operating in the region since 2002 and serves as a distributor and exclusive dealer for John Deere. Currently, the company employs over 600 staff, and project participants estimate that the investment will support around 1,600 direct and indirect jobs.
Key areas of cooperation will include farmer training, the implementation of new technologies and digital tools, which is expected to increase crop yields and equipment efficiency.
Mustafa Zakhin, President and CEO of Eurasia Group AG, described the company's expansion in Kazakhstan and the opening of the first service center in Kyrgyzstan as an important milestone for the business and farmers of the region. He noted that IFC's support will bring equipment and services closer to farmers while promoting further investment in skills development and knowledge transfer.
Wagner Albuquerque de Almeida, IFC Regional Director for Production, Agribusiness, and Services in the Middle East and Central Asia, stated that modern service centers can help farmers increase productivity, improve rural community welfare, and adapt to climate change.
All four facilities are planned to be certified under the IFC EDGE green building standard (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies). Preliminary estimates suggest this will reduce the buildings' energy consumption by 20% and prevent the emission of approximately 1,674 tons of greenhouse gases annually.
Eurasia Group also reported working on improving workplace safety and expanding career opportunities for women, who currently make up about 26% of the company's staff.
