The Secretariat of the Regional Investment Council (RIC) has officially launched operations in Jalal-Abad Region. The new structure is being established in line with the goals outlined in the National Investment Strategy and is aimed at supporting regional economic development, improving the business climate, and advancing mechanisms of public-private partnership (PPP).

The region boasts significant natural and agricultural potential, strong industrial traditions, attractive recreational assets, and a dynamic business environment. At the same time, there is substantial opportunity to further develop new sectors — particularly in processing industries, agricultural cooperation, green energy, tourism, and cross-border trade.

The Secretariat team was formally introduced to Nurlan Ermatov, First Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Jalal-Abad Region. The team was presented by Uluk Kydyrbaev, Head of the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The RIC Secretariat team includes:
— Gulmairam Attokurova, Head of the Secretariat;
— Aizat Birimkulova, Legal Expert;
— Aiday Almazbekova, Economic and PPP Expert.

The Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative expressed strong interest in the RIC platform and readiness to provide full support for the development of public-private dialogue and partnership in the region. The necessary conditions for the effective operation of the Secretariat have been put in place.

During the visit, a meeting was also held with Bekmamat Arstanbekov, Chairman of the Youth Council under the Mayor’s Office of Jalal-Abad. Opportunities for collaboration were identified to engage local youth groups and young entrepreneurs in the work of the RIC.

The primary mission of the Secretariat is not simply to oversee projects, but to establish sustainable mechanisms for business support: assisting in the removal of administrative barriers, facilitating PPP projects, providing consultations for entrepreneurs, and preparing recommendations for improving the regulatory framework.

The project is being implemented within the framework of a trilateral agreement between the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic, and the PPP Center under the National Investment Agency. It is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public-private dialogue in the regions.

As Regional Investment Councils (RICs) establish their secretariats, regional activities are moving into an active phase. Across the country, new formats for collaboration between businesses, local authorities, and development partners are taking shape.

RICs serve as an essential "bridge" between the business community and government structures, helping identify key issues for improving the investment climate and creating platforms for open, constructive dialogue.

In Talas region, the RIC Secretariat, led by Baktiyar Kamaldinov, recently held a series of meetings with district administrations. On June 19, meetings took place with the Akim (Head) of Aitmatov district Nurlanbek Umarov, the Akim (Head) of Manas district Ermekbay Omoshev, as well as with representatives of local business councils.

During these discussions, the goals and future plans of the RIC were presented, with a special emphasis on building direct dialogue with the local business community. As a result, roundtables with entrepreneurs and representatives of government agencies will be held in both districts in early July. In Manas district, the Akim also initiated the creation of a local business council, which will serve as a permanent platform for communication between business and government.

Meanwhile, the RIC in Osh region is actively participating in partnership events. On June 18, the head of the RIC Secretariat for Osh region, Taalay Azimov, spoke at a training organized by the Kyrgyz Women’s Forum “Kurak” (a member of the Investment Council) within the GIZ project.

During the event, the work and objectives of the RIC in Osh region were presented. Topics related to developing public-private partnerships (PPP) and fostering collaboration with government agencies to address business challenges generated strong interest among the participants. Agreements were also reached for further individual consultations on more complex issues, including PPP projects.

In the coming weeks, similar events and working meetings between RICs and business communities are planned in various regions. The growing activity of RICs on the ground marks an important step toward building truly effective platforms for dialogue between business and government.

From June 12 to 14, 2025, a three-day strategic seminar was held for the staff of the Regional Investment Council (RIC) Secretariats, representatives of the PPP Center under the National Investment Agency, and the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The seminar program was focused on developing the core competencies of RIC teams needed to effectively shape the investment climate in the regions, support investment projects, and foster constructive dialogue between businesses and government authorities.

Over the first two days, expert in strategic planning and financial management Azamat Dikambaev conducted intensive sessions dedicated to defining the role of RICs as trusted institutions and partners in regional economic development, and shaping their value proposition for businesses and investors. Special attention was given to the key areas that should guide the work of RICs — initiating regulatory changes (NPA), supporting investment projects, enhancing consulting services, and strengthening analytical functions. Through hands-on exercises in business modeling, participants explored how to position the Council within their respective regions and identify the real value RICs should deliver to businesses, investors, and government stakeholders.

On the third day, staff from the Secretariat of the Investment Council led a series of practical sessions aimed at developing the operational competencies of RIC teams. The morning sessions addressed the importance of having a clear and coordinated work plan for RICs — how such plans are developed, what objectives and results they should include, and the steps involved in their preparation. Each RIC Secretariat presented a preliminary version of their work plan, refined in group discussions based on the specifics of their respective regions.

Participants then explored practical aspects of preparing and conducting RIC meetings. Topics included agenda structure, principles of effective moderation, preparation of meeting protocols, and monitoring the implementation of action items. Using real-life cases, participants practiced drafting decisions and organizing follow-up work with RIC members and government agencies.

In the afternoon, discussions focused on the effective use of information resources and communication tools to enhance transparency and raise the visibility of RIC activities. Detailed attention was also given to procedures for interacting with government bodies — through designated contact points, consultation groups, and electronic document management systems.

The seminar marked an important step in strengthening the professional capacity of RIC Secretariats and reinforcing their role as active contributors to public-private dialogue at the regional level.

The event was organized as part of a trilateral cooperation agreement between the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Kyrgyz Republic, and the PPP Center under the National Investment Agency.

The second day of the strategic seminar for the staff of Regional Investment Council (RIC) Secretariats, representatives of the PPP Center under the National Investment Agency, and the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic focused on a key topic: defining the strategic role of RICs in regional economic development and shaping their value proposition for key stakeholders.

At the heart of the day's discussions were several critical questions: why is it important for businesses and investors to engage with RICs; what is the real value and uniqueness of RICs; and why should government bodies view RICs as reliable partners.

Seminar participants emphasized that entrepreneurs expect RICs not only to assist in addressing immediate issues, but also to provide support for the implementation of long-term investment projects. In this regard, RICs can offer businesses institutional support, help remove regulatory barriers, promote initiatives at both the regional and national levels, and establish effective communication channels with government authorities.

Throughout the sessions, participants explored which areas of activity should become priorities for RICs in the near future. Discussions primarily focused on such areas as initiating regulatory changes, supporting investment projects, developing consulting services, and enhancing analytical capabilities. It is essential that all of these tools serve a common goal: building trust in RICs among the business community and strengthening the Council's role as the primary entry point for investors and entrepreneurs at the regional level.

The use of business modeling approaches during the seminar helped participants systematically analyze the types of value that RICs should create for different stakeholder groups — including businesses, investors, government authorities, and society at large. Particular attention was given to practical case studies and the development of positioning models for RICs in specific regions.

The session was moderated by Azamat Dikambaev, an expert in strategic planning and financial management with many years of experience in major companies.

The seminar is being held within the framework of a trilateral cooperation agreement between the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Kyrgyz Republic, and the PPP Center under the National Investment Agency.