Regional : Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor: Preparing the Modern Agriculture Wholesale Market Development Project

Sovereign Project | 51276-002

The proposed project will contribute to the diversification of exports and the connection to regional markets for the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The project is part of the development of the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor (ABEC). The project will support the modernization of wholesale markets (WSMs) to improve food safety, food security, and increase food trade within and outside the region. Modern WSM infrastructure will facilitate certification for exports, traceability systems, and most importantly, transparent market access and storage of fresh produce. As a result, market demand will allow for production growth and deliver incentives for quality, which will benefit small- and medium-sized producers in the region.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Bui, Giap Minh
    Sectors Group
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Sector
    • Agriculture, natural resources and rural development
Project Name Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor: Preparing the Modern Agriculture Wholesale Market Development Project
Project Number 51276-002
Country / Economy Regional
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyz Republic
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 9677-REG: Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor: Preparing the Modern Agriculture Wholesale Market Development Project
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 1.00 million
Regional Cooperation and Integration Fund US$ 1.00 million
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural policy, institutional and capacity development

Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Description The proposed project will contribute to the diversification of exports and the connection to regional markets for the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The project is part of the development of the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor (ABEC). The project will support the modernization of wholesale markets (WSMs) to improve food safety, food security, and increase food trade within and outside the region. Modern WSM infrastructure will facilitate certification for exports, traceability systems, and most importantly, transparent market access and storage of fresh produce. As a result, market demand will allow for production growth and deliver incentives for quality, which will benefit small- and medium-sized producers in the region.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

In Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, horticulture value chains are concentrated around Almaty, Bishkek, and their surrounding areas where most of the production, trading and consumption is concentrated. Wholesale trading is mainly occurring in Kazakhstan through the Altyn Orda market (42 hectares [ha] size) in Almaty province and Shareem market (3 ha) in Astana, as well as in the Kyrgyz Republic through Dordoi Food market with 14 ha and Alamedin market (15 ha), both in Bishkek. Most of the flow of horticulture products is channeled through these markets, which require significant modernization to comply with changing domestic regulations, the standards of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and other major export destinations for fruits and vegetables that are produced in ABEC and the Fergana valley. Most commonly, fresh products are sold from the back of a truck to large and small retailers, to hotels and restaurants, and further to other WSMs of Astana or Shymkent. If the produce is not sold within a day, it is often spoiled and goes to waste. Producers or farmers often lack direct access to the WSM because of the segregated production structure with little cooperation and consolidation at the producer level.

Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are both net food importers. Food security is compromised due to the i) high dependency on food imports during the first half of the year; ii) lack of incentives for producers to expand the season, quantity and quality of produce due to low margins; iii) increasing market power and vertical integration for horticulture products; and iv) adhoc and uncoordinated daily trading systems because of inadequate storage and cold-chain logistics facilities, which lead to high food waste and price fluctuations. Current WSM, storage, and logistics infrastructure limit the export potential for horticulture products and lead to inefficiencies in domestic food distribution with significant effects for food security and food safety. Reduced food waste and more efficient value chains have significant potential to reduce unnecessary use of natural resources and emittance of greenhouse gases.

Impact
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz Republic
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The TA will require three packages of consulting services: (i) Package 1 - International consulting firms to conduct the investment feasibility study (IFS) (output 1) using the fixed budget selection (FBS) selection method, and simplified technical proposals; (ii) Package 2 - an international consulting firm to conduct the commercial, technical and financial due diligence (output 2) using the FBS selection method and simplified technical proposals; and (ii) Package 3 - Individual consultants (international) to assist loan processing and implementation startup and coordination of outputs 1 and 2 (output 3). Package 1 will be lump-sum and performance-based contract, package 2 will be lump-sum, while package 3 will be time-based. ADB procurement and policy and regulations (2017 as amended from time to time) shall apply to the selection of consultants.
Responsible ADB Officer Bui, Giap Minh
Responsible ADB Department Sectors Group
Responsible ADB Division Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (SG-AFNR)
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance -
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 07 Dec 2018
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 11 Dec 2018

TA 9677-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
07 Dec 2018 - 07 Dec 2018 31 Dec 2020 30 Jun 2025 -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
2,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,000,000.00 06 Sep 2023 1,336,736.01

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

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Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


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Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
National Project Coordinator Individual - Consulting Closed
National ESMS Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
International ESMS Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
National Project Implementation Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
National Financial Management Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
International Financial Management Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
National Governance Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
National Agribusiness Development Specialist (KGZ) Individual - Consulting Closed
2 Individual - Consulting Closed
National Agriculture Specialist (KGZ) Individual - Consulting Closed
National Agriculture Specialist (KAZ) Individual - Consulting Closed
International Agriculture Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Project Design and Startup Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Output 1: Investment Feasibility Study Firm - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Project Preparatory Technical Assistance 9677 12 Aug 2019 AGRIFOOD CONSULTING INTERNATIONAL, INC (UNITED STATES) | 9207 Bryant Avenue, Laurel, Maryland 207 USA Asian Development Bank 1,559,223.00

Procurement Plan

None currently available.