The Secretariat of the Business Development Council and Investments under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, together with national partners, took part in the large-scale nationwide environmental campaign “Zhashyl Muras” – “Green Heritage”, launched at the initiative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Within the framework of this campaign, and with the support of UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic, a tree planting ceremony was held on 18 October 2025 in Ak-Orgo Park, Bishkek, marking the 60th anniversary of UNDP. The “Zhashyl Muras” campaign aims to promote greening, forest restoration, and the development of environmental awareness, already reaching communities across the entire country.

The Secretariat highlights the importance of such initiatives as a symbol of partnership between the government, international organizations, and civil society. The Secretariat’s participation reflects its commitment to the environmental agenda and the sustainable development of the Kyrgyz Republic.

We express our gratitude to UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, and the Mayor’s Office of Bishkek for jointly organizing this meaningful event.

The trees planted will serve as a living symbol of our shared responsibility for the future of the Kyrgyz Republic and our planet.

On October 16, a working meeting was held at the Secretariat of the Council for Business and Investment Development under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic to discuss the development of a mechanism for introducing a tourism (ecosystem) fee.

The event was organized by the UNDP BIOFIN Programme together with the expert group on the development of the tourism fee mechanism, with the support of the Secretariat of the Council.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Department of Tourism, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators (KATO), the Organic Holding Association, the Association for Tourism and Entrepreneurship Support, Ak-Sai Travel, Destination Chui Region, as well as independent experts and development partners.

Participants discussed the goals and main directions of the initiative, along with examples of international experience in implementing similar mechanisms. Special attention was paid to ensuring transparency in administration, possible collection formats, and the effective use of proceeds to support tourism infrastructure and environmental protection.

The initiative aims to identify an optimal and balanced approach that would help increase the attractiveness of the Kyrgyz Republic for tourists while creating additional resources for biodiversity conservation and improving the quality of tourism services.

As noted by participants, the discussion is still at an early stage, and further work will be carried out to refine possible mechanisms and incorporate the views of the private sector and other stakeholders.

This working meeting marked the first step in a broader consultation process with the private sector aimed at developing a well-balanced solution to promote sustainable tourism development in the Kyrgyz Republic.

EBRD Conference in Bishkek Focuses on Growth, Resilience and Partnership

On 16 October, Bishkek hosted the annual regional conference of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) titled “Nurturing SMEs: Bigger and Better” — a key platform for discussing the future of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Central Asia and Mongolia, organised with the support of development partners.

The official opening was delivered by representatives of donor organizations and Ayten Rustamova, EBRD Director for the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The conference brought together representatives of government institutions, business associations, financial organizations, and international partners. Participants discussed how EBRD support helps companies overcome growth barriers, embrace digitalization and sustainable (ESG) solutions to enhance competitiveness, and explored which economic trends will shape the region’s development towards 2030.

Simone Ze Atanasovski (Associate Director, SME F&D (ASB), Central Asia and Mongolia) and Bakay Zhunushov (Principal Manager, ASB, EBRD Kyrgyz Republic) moderated the sessions. The keynote address, “Global Shifts and Regional Outlook: Central Asia and Mongolia in a Changing World”, was delivered online by Ana Kresic, EBRD Regional Head for Policy, Central Asia and Mongolia.

Regional Economy: Trends, Risks, and Opportunities

The conference program featured strategic presentations, practical sessions, and a foresight discussion titled “Economy of Central Asia: Trends, Risks, and Opportunities 2025–2030”, moderated by foresight expert Oleg Mezik.

Speakers noted that Central Asia is undergoing an active phase of economic transformation, driven by new models of cooperation between the public and private sectors, a shift towards a green economy, and rapid technological advancement — with artificial intelligence taking an increasingly prominent role.

The Kyrgyz Republic: New PPP Models and Investment Opportunities

The Kyrgyz Republic was represented at the foresight session by Cholpon Asakeeva, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Expert at the Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

In her address, she presented an overview of PPP development in the Kyrgyz Republic and highlighted the role of Regional Investment Councils (RICs) as sustainable dialogue platforms between business and government. She noted that PPPs are evolving beyond investment attraction mechanisms to become effective tools for regional development and for engaging SMEs in large infrastructure projects.

According to the PPP Center, the national portfolio includes over 90 projects with a total investment volume exceeding 434 billion KGS, while 10 new agreements worth more than USD 3.18 billion were signed in 2025 alone.

Practical Solutions and EBRD Instruments

During expert sessions, participants discussed successful case studies in logistics, digital transformation, and ESG integration. Special attention was given to innovative EBRD instruments — such as Outcome-Linked Loans and the Risk Sharing Facility — which enable businesses to expand while reducing environmental risks and promoting sustainable growth.

Regional Dialogue and Next Steps

The conference concluded with a networking session, where representatives from business and government discussed new joint initiatives and future steps to strengthen dialogue and cooperation across the region.

The Bishkek conference reaffirmed the EBRD’s commitment to supporting the sustainable growth of SMEs in Central Asia through partnership, innovation, and inclusive development.

The format of direct communication between the authorities and the business community is becoming an important element of regional cooperation practices.

Recently, an extended meeting of the Regional Investment Council (RIC) was held in Osh under the chairmanship of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Osh region. The meeting took place in an informal yet constructive business breakfast format, which allowed entrepreneurs and representatives of state authorities to discuss current issues related to business development in the region.

The session brought together representatives of various sectors — industry, trade, construction, agriculture, and services. Entrepreneurs identified key challenges they face in practice and presented concrete proposals to address them. Such meetings contribute to the establishment of a stable dialogue between the government and the private sector, strengthen mutual trust, and create conditions for the systematic improvement of the business environment.

The meeting was organized by the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Osh region with the support of Myktybek Osmonaliev, Coordinator of the Regional Investment Councils for the southern regions. This joint format demonstrates that dialogue with the business community can be conducted not only in official sessions, but also through open and flexible platforms where issues are discussed promptly, and practical solutions are developed.

The practice of live dialogue, also carried out with the coordination support of the Secretariat of the Business and Investment Development Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, continues to demonstrate its effectiveness as a sustainable mechanism for public-private cooperation at the regional level.

Based on the outcomes of the meeting, protocols will be prepared and signed, documenting the proposals and decisions aimed at improving the business climate and promoting entrepreneurship in the region.