4. PPPs in Kazakhstan and Russia: The Nature and Scope of Government Involvement

PPP development in Russia and Kazakhstan is still in its infancy. The two nations are eager to learn how to form and govern PPPs efficiently. Although the implementation of a number of PPP projects has been initiated, none of these has yet been completed. It is, nevertheless, possible to discern certain trends and patterns of activity. This chapter elucidates how the Russian and Kazakhstani governments have approached PPPs within the context of transitional economies and evaluates those governments’ efforts to build legislative, institutional and financing frameworks for launching partnerships in different sectors. Whilst it may be premature to view PPPs as a tool of economic reform, there is no doubt that the governments in Russia and Kazakhstan associate PPPs with an opportunity to achieve faster economic growth, provide a larger volume of public services and replace the government in carrying out its traditional (for the ex-Soviet nations) responsibilities, such as water supply or childcare.