The Secretariat of the Investment Council is launching the "Economic Journalism" program. This is a great opportunity for participants to meet with experts and business representatives to discuss and analyze current economic topics.

The purpose of the event:

• To stimulate effective dialogue between the media, the business community, and economic experts in order to improve the quality of public discourse.
• To strengthen the role of economic journalism as a foundation for an informed and educated society that contributes to sustainable development and the country's investment appeal.
• To develop journalists' professional skills in the fields of economics, finance, and investment, with an emphasis on analyzing and understanding economic processes in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Monthly meetings are anticipated on current economic topics and issues, with business representatives and economic experts, offering in-depth analysis and a critical look at the selected themes. Live discussions will help expand your journalistic horizons.

Venue: Bishkek, Igemberdieva Street, 1a, "Aurora" Business Center, office 410, Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

We invite journalists interested in economic journalism to fill out a special form to register for the program (link below). https://forms.gle/rUq9QcVsgyGdANKL8

Uluk Kydyrbaev, the head of the Investment Council Secretariat, presented key points during the panel session "Accelerating Economic Progress" at the event "Investing in Women: Accelerating Economic Progress in the Kyrgyz Republic." The presentation focused on the strategic role of the private sector as a catalyst for inclusive growth, highlighting the potential to increase women's participation in the economy through entrepreneurship and the active implementation of gender parity principles in all aspects of economic development.

The event, organized in cooperation with the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange, IFC, and with the support of UN Women in Kyrgyzstan, emphasized the key role of the financial sector in promoting gender equality and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

In his speech, Uluk Kydyrbaev particularly emphasized the need to overcome gender stereotypes, advocating for the creation of a favorable environment that facilitates gender-neutral opportunities. He stressed the importance of implementing educational programs to develop skills among girls in digitalization and the green economy, which will strengthen the economic status of women in society and called for the active role of the private sector as a driver of economic and gender progress.

Expressing his readiness for action, Uluk Kydyrbaev announced the possibility of creating an Advisory Group within the Secretariat of the Investment Council. This group will aim to unite the efforts of all stakeholders to provide an effective dialogue platform for discussing measures to ensure inclusiveness in all areas of economic life.

We are convinced that through the joint efforts of the government, the private sector, and international partners, the principle of gender parity will become the norm in the economy and society of the Kyrgyz Republic, opening new horizons for the country's sustainable development.

On February 28th, a working meeting took place between the head of the Investment Council Secretariat, Uluk Kydyrbaev, and the General Director of the "Kyrgyzstan" Pension Savings Fund, Zuura Bayamanova. The meeting covered a wide range of issues, including:

• Expanding the pool of government securities holders through the development of both primary and secondary government securities markets;
• Increasing access to savings and credit products;
• Further promoting the development of digital payment technologies and tools, as well as the digitalization of financial services;
• Enhancing the financial literacy of the population.

The parties expressed interest in addressing these issues within the activities of the Investment Council Secretariat and emphasized the need to involve relevant specialists from government bodies, the private sector, and the expert community to solve these pressing tasks. As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached on developing further joint actions aimed at creating a permanent dialogue platform to increase entrepreneurs' interest in the pension savings system and to create a favorable environment for the activities of the relevant funds.