The World Bank has decided to issue a US$2.12 billion loan to Kazakhstan for modernizing the trade route connecting Russia and Western Europe to China and other Asian states.

The project will build up competitiveness of Kazakhstan and bring substantial benefits to that country and its neighbors, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the World Bank said.

The loan will create about 35,000 jobs, which is vital amidst the crisis.

It is planned to build anew and renovate over 1,000 kilometers of roads between Chimkent and Aktyubinsk. That is part of Kazakhstan''s program of the modernization of the 2,800-kilometer way from the Russian to Chinese border.