BEIJING — China’s Ministry of Finance welcomed Kyrgyzstan application to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on March 31.

The ministry website said Kyrgyzstan will become a founding member on April 9 if other members approve.

The decision was confirmed in a written application last week, according to the ministry.

The AIIB, an international financial institution aiming to provide support to infrastructure projects in Asia, is expected to be established by the end of this year.

The application deadline is March 31. So far more than 40 countries have applied to join the AIIB.