Regional Cooperation Projects in Central Asia

Regional cooperation focuses on projects and programs that involve at least two of the five Central Asian countries. This approach fosters interaction between the countries and contributes to the dialogue and exchange of information, striving for win-win solutions with regard to resources allocations and management.

Swiss cooperation has identified the following areas of regional support:

REGIONAL ART AND CULTURE PROGRAM

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) successfully supports artistic and cultural projects in Central Asia (CA) since 1998. In line with the principles outlined in its Cultural Policy Paper (2002), SDC considers Art and Culture as an important good governance tool. Moreover, for SDC the support of cultural activities forms an integral and indispensable part of development as “Culture is not one of life’s luxuries – it is life itself”.

INFRUSTRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Cooperation takes place mailny in the water sector. Water is a priority in cooperation with Central Asian countries, especially those affected by water shortages, pollution, the deterioration of infrustructures and poor system management. The Swiss State Secretariat for economic affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)  both confirm their commitment to a water strategy for the region which emphasizes that Swiss programs combine institutional development and the consolidation of capacities with investments to either restore or establish infrustructures.

• Swiss Support to National Hydromets (SSNH) - completed
• Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
• Ferghana Valley Canal Automation Project
• Central Asia Regional Water Information Base (CAREWIB)
• Central Asian Mountain Partnership  (CAMP)
• Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS)

GOOD GOVERNANCE AND CONFLICT PREVENTION

Peace promotion, combined with livelihood improvement in the Ferghana Valley. Contributuion to the prevention of tensions, disputes and conflicts in cross-border areas and multi-ethnic communities. In this area also works another regional project supporting media development. It works to provide reliable access to information for the population by improving professionalism of media.

• Regional Dialoge and Development Project (RDD) (completed)
• Central Asia Media Support Project (completed)

PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

Promotion of commerce, private sector development and investment. In this area a regional project provides risk capital to local micro and small enterprises in Central Asia to promote economic developement of enterpreneurship and to achieve commercially attractive results.

• Central Asian Small Enterprise Fund (CASEF)
• Central Asian Leasing Project (completed)
• Business Advisory Support (BAS)

MACROECONOMY

Swiss cooperation aims to improve the international trade regime in the region by helping countries to access WTO or to improve their membership external debt management, strategy and negotiation.

• External Debt Management Project (completed)
• Training Cources to Access WTO (completed)
• Public Debt Management and Government Securities Market