BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will have three main focuses in Kyrgyzstan between 2023 and 2027, Zheng Wu, ADB Country Director for Kyrgyzstan's Resident Mission, told Trend.
He specified that these priorities are: creating economic opportunities for everyone, strengthening the country's ability to handle climate change and disasters, as well as improving governance and support for businesses.
Zheng Wu explained that ADB will keep assisting Kyrgyzstan in improving important public services in areas like transportation, energy, agriculture, and the public sector.
"Under the new country partnership strategy (CPS), ADB will provide an integrated suite of sovereign and nonsovereign financing solutions for further renewable energy development, upscaling the urban e-mobility program, and other government initiatives to develop Kyrgyzstan's energy sector," he said.
The Country Director elaborated that in June 2023, ADB introduced a new 5-year CPS for Kyrgyzstan to support the country's development goals by promoting growth that includes everyone, is resilient, and is driven by the private sector.
He also noted that this new strategy aligns with the government's medium-term national development plan until 2026 and long-term national development priorities up to 2040 (2018–2040).
Since 1994, ADB has been a key partner in Kyrgyzstan's development efforts. ADB's current work in the country revolves around diversifying the economy, promoting inclusive development, and providing social support.
ADB collaborates with Kyrgyzstan to improve the legal and regulatory frameworks, create a more business-friendly environment, increase access to affordable finance, ensure reliable electricity supply, enhance transportation networks and urban mobility, and improve job opportunities for the citizens.
The bank also supports Kyrgyzstan's active participation in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program.
The CAREC program was launched by ADB in 1997. Its goal is to encourage countries in Central Asia, as well as the South Caucasus and South Asia, to work together and cooperate economically.