The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $121 million in financing for the first phase of the Kyrgyz Republic Water Supply and Sanitation Universal Access Program. It is part of a multi-phase programmatic approach, with a $400 million financing envelope over the next decade, enabling the Kyrgyz government to provide universal access to and improve
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors have approved $120 million for Developing a Sustainable Finance Market for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Kyrgyz Republic project. This landmark initiative will be co-financed by a $50 million loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). With a total funding of $170 million, the project aims
Kyrgyzstan’s creative industries are beginning to play an increasingly important role in the country’s economy, although their contribution to gross domestic product is still very small. This has led to the creation of the Creative Industries Park, which opens up new opportunities for the development of sectors such as design, advertising, cinema and architecture, reads
In 2024, Kyrgyzstan received foreign direct investment (FDI) totaling $872.6 million, compared to $844.9 million in 2023, according to the National Statistical Committee. Most of the investments came from China (23.9%), Russia (22.7%), Turkey (10.2%), Luxembourg (8.8%), Kazakhstan (5.7%), the Netherlands (4.9%), Azerbaijan (3.4%), and other countries (20.4%). Compared to 2023, the inflow of FDI
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), is launching an experience-sharing project for energy professionals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Named “Supporting Sustainable Energy Development in Central Asia by Expanding Sub-Regional and Cross-Country Cooperation Through the Exchange of Competencies
On April 16, Kuwait hosted the Third Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Strategic Dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Central Asia. The meeting was attended by the leadership of foreign ministries of Central Asian countries and six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council — the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
Lusine Aleksanyan is a maxillofacial surgeon and a young author from Armenia. Her book, “And a Butterfly Soared,” was published in 2024 in the UK, following her victory in a literary competition organized by the Eurasian Creative Guild. Here below is an article about this talented person, originally published by OCA Magazine: The best investment
On April 14, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Erkinov and the delegation of UK Export Finance (UKEF) headed by Ms. Shebnem Alp. The meeting was also attended by British Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Nicholas Bowler. The parties discussed key areas of
On April 11, Almaty hosted the eighth meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign ministers of Central Asian countries: Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubayev, and Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin. Turkmenistan was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Gurbanov,
Both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have imposed temporary restrictions on the import of chicken eggs in efforts to support domestic producers. Kazakhstan imposed a six-month ban on the import of chicken eggs from April 9. The Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture said the decision is intended to support domestic producers during spring and summer, when demand for
Economic growth in Kyrgyzstan is projected to moderate but remain robust at 8.5% in 2025 and 8.6% in 2026, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2025 report, the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) flagship economic publication. “This growth forecast reflects strong private consumption, steady gains in remittances, and ongoing government investment projects,” said ADB Country Director
According to a new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA), in March 2025, Central Asia experienced an unusually intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching record highs across the region, reaching 30.8°C in Jalalabad in Kyrgyzstan, 29.4°C in Namangan and 29.1°C in Fergana in Uzbekistan, and minimum temperatures of 18.3°C in Shahdara, making it the hottest March night in
On April 7, the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations hosted a reception in New York City to officially launch a country’s campaign for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2027-2028. The event was led by Zheenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. In his
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have joined forces to improve farmland management and strengthen food security in Kyrgyzstan. The two institutions have launched an initiative named Greening Kyrgyzstan’s Economy: Know More, Act Better, Enhance Results, which will foster climate-smart agriculture through the use
At the inaugural EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan last week, European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris signed four memorandums of understanding with partners in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. With these agreements, the EIB will provide €365 million, unlocking up to €1 billion of investment in sustainable transport, water management, and climate resilience projects, the EIB
On April 4, the first-ever Central Asia-European Union Summit was held in Samarkand, chaired by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The EU was represented by the President of the European Council António Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Together with President Mirziyoyev, Central Asian countries were represented by
OCA Magazine, published in London since 2009, is calling on universities across the Eurasian region to participate in a special issue titled OCA Magazine: Education 2025. The initiative aims to showcase the educational and human resource potential of Central Asia and the CIS countries, while also attracting experts and media attention to promote education in
The French Alliance in Bishkek presents the Francophone Week in Bishkek from 4 to 12 April 2025. This week of events is organized jointly with the Embassies of France, Switzerland, the Delegation of the European Union, the Embassies of Belgium, Canada, and Morocco. The program includes educational, cultural and entertainment events. This year’s festival theme
In 2024, Bishkek municipal services shot 14,378 stray dogs in the Kyrgyz capital, raising criticism from animal rights activists who consider shootings an inhumane and ineffective way of solving the problem of stray animals. However, the Bishkek municipality insists that the city has no money for alternative solutions. According to the Bishkek municipality’s program for
A presentation of the book “Why Kyrgyzstan?” was held in Seoul on March 25 with the assistance of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Republic of Korea and the Secretariat of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Forum. The book tells Korean readers about the beauty, culture and tourism potential of Kyrgyzstan. The event
