Key fact: Kyrgyzstan is ranked 70 out of 183 countries in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ survey 2013

While Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth has been dynamic, a key to further successful development, and ultimately to the alleviation of poverty, is the expansion of a thriving private sector, in which new jobs and businesses are created. With a view to promoting this, Switzerland is supporting a variety of projects, including business advisory services for small and medium enterprises.

Work is also being done to help the government introduce a regulatory framework which will attract and support investment. Reducing the gap between a relatively sound legal framework and poor implementation is a priority. Projects to improve access to finance are underway, in which start-up businesses are given advice on what credit is available to them, and financial institutions are advised on best practice in making fast and accurate decisions about applications for credit.

A particular priority is the development of employment possibilities for people in remote rural areas in the south. Here Switzerland plans to support the creation of new business and training opportunities for young people. The goal is to stem the flight of young people away from rural areas to the cities or to neighbouring countries, and to provide them with new perspectives – lack of hope for the future is regarded as one of the root causes of Kyrgyzstan’s recent ethnic conflicts.

The projects are being implemented by the Ministry of Economy, the civil society, international financial institutions and NGOs.

Projects in the Private Sector Development domain:

·         Investment Climate Advisory Services in the Kyrgyz Republic

·         Azerbaijan-Central Asia Financial Markets Infrastructure Advisory Services Project

·         Trade Promotion Programme in the Kyrgyz Republic

·         Business Advisory Services Programme

·         Kyrgyzstan Housing Microfinance Advisory Services project

·         Organic Cotton Production and Trade Promotion Programme

Last update: April 2013