AKIPRESS.COM - Bishkek, with a population of 1.2 million, is improving the management of solid waste thanks to an EBRD loan of €11 million signed in 2013. The European Union continues to support the project with grant funding totalling now €8 million provided under its Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA).

The operation aims at improving the city’s solid waste services, establish new solid waste collection points throughout the city, upgrade the collection fleet, build a sanitary landfill – the first EU compliant landfill in the region – and close the existing waste dump.

The financing is for the benefit of the municipal solid waste company Tazalyk and a special purpose company which will manage the new landfill and is expected to improve the level of public service, introduce waste recycling and help preserve a cleaner and safer environment.

In addition to these funds, the EBRD, the EU and the Czech Republic are providing close to €2 million for technical assistance. The assistance will comprise corporate development for Tazalyk and the new landfill management company.