OREANDA-NEWS. On January 15, 2007 the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a US$ 13,4 million loan for the Kazakhstan Technology Commercialization Project, reported the press-centre of World Bank.

This project will strengthen Kazakhstan’s science base by introducing international peer review for research funding based on scientific merit and commercial potential and connect improved research and development of scientific groups to national and international technology markets.
 
In the past, Kazakhstan was known for its scientific excellence and substantial scientific capacity; with 41,000 research scientists at its pick, Kazakhstan used to be an important center of research and development in the Soviet Union. However, the number of research personnel declined dramatically and by 2004 only 17,000 researchers continued to work in the sector. Between 1993 and 2002 virtually no new scientific equipment was acquired in Kazakhstan and very little has been since, with the remaining equipment either obsolete or worn out and in urgent need for replacement.
 
In addition, whilst internationally the boundaries between applied and basic research are becoming increasingly blurred, in Kazakhstan academic research institutes, classical universities, technological/engineering universities still operate in isolation from each other. Even more importantly, scientific institutions do not collaborate with either Kazakhstani or foreign industries. A major shift is needed to improve scientific performance and commercial value of scientific research to support the country’s transformation to a technologically-advanced economy. 
 
“To sustain economic growth in the future, Kazakhstan must make transition from producing and exporting primarily unprocessed raw materials to producing and exporting more knowledge-intensive, value-added goods and services, thus, becoming a competent participant of the knowledge-based global economy,” said Sergei Shatalov, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan. “This Project will help organize Kazakhstan science in a way that is conducive to converting knowledge into wealth.”
 
The Project, with an overall value of US$ 75 million, is co-financed by the Government of Kazakhstan in the amount of US$ 61,6 million, and has the following three components:

The Component for Strengthening Kazakhstan’s Science Base will help rebuild Kazakhstan’s rapidly depreciating Science and Technology base by providing funds on a competitive basis for research programs, and furnishing science centers with modern laboratory equipment.

The Component for Linking Kazakhstan Science to Markets will help connect scientific groups to domestic and global technology markets by introducing technology commercialization services, providing training to existing incubators, techno-parks, research and industrial institutions, and improving legal and regulatory framework for technology commercialization and innovation.

The Project Management Component will finance project implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation activities for the project.

The World Bank loan supporting this Project has a maturity of 15 years, including a five-year grace period. The Ministry of Education and Science is the agency responsible for the Project implementation which will last from 2008 to 2012.
 
Kazakhstan joined the World Bank in 1992. Since then, commitments to the country total more than USD 2 billion for 32 projects.