On June 5, an introductory meeting was held in the city of Karakol between the team of the Regional Investment Council (RIC) for Issyk-Kul region and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, Alexandra Solovieva.

During the meeting, the RIC Secretariat team was presented:
— Mirlan Sabyrov – Head of the Secretariat,
— Aigerim Nurbekova – Public-Private Partnership and Economic Affairs Specialist,
— Timur Zhumabekov – Legal Affairs Expert.

The team outlined key goals and plans focused on the region’s sustainable development. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening partnerships with local authorities, business associations, civil society institutions, and international organizations.

The RIC Secretariat was introduced as an open and effective platform for dialogue, problem-solving, and promoting initiatives. Participants discussed the potential for organizing meetings with local business representatives to:
• identify the main challenges in the business environment;
• assess the potential for involving businesses in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects;
• select ready ideas for launching small-scale PPP initiatives with further support and consultation;
• compile a list of systemic issues to bring to the agenda of upcoming Council meetings.

An important topic raised was the legal support of entrepreneurs — with emphasis on expanding access to legal consultations for small and medium-sized businesses.

Priority areas highlighted during the meeting included:
• support for youth entrepreneurship,
• strengthening the role of public councils,
• advancing green initiatives and sustainable solutions in the context of the green economy.

The launch of RIC Secretariats is being implemented as part of a trilateral cooperation 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 of the Kyrgyz Republic.