Kyrgyzstan has launched the preparatory stage for joining the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement. The National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, together with the International Trade Centre and with support from the European Union, is conducting a validation seminar of the national self-assessment within the framework of the "Ready4Trade Central Asia: Promoting Prosperity via the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor" project.

The WTO Agreement introduces a modern international framework aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and predictability of processes encountered by investors. It does not regulate market access or investment protection. Instead, it focuses on how governments administer investment-related measures: publication of information, processing of applications, inter-agency coordination, reduction of bureaucracy, and the development of digital services.

For the Kyrgyz Republic, this is an opportunity to align national procedures with international standards, strengthen business trust, improve the investment climate, and access technical assistance from global partners.

Working Group and the Self-Assessment

As part of the preparation, an Interagency Working Group was formed. Over several months, the group studied a comprehensive assessment tool — a questionnaire of more than 500 questions. It examines the entire investment facilitation system: publication of laws, the functioning of the “single window,” inter-agency coordination, digital services, and mechanisms for feedback from the private sector.

The resulting national self-assessment provides an objective picture of compliance with best practices, identifies existing gaps, and highlights reforms that require priority attention.

Validation Seminar

The seminar held brings together government officials and international experts to confirm and refine the findings of the self-assessment. This discussion defines the priorities for the next phase of reforms.

The Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers also takes an active part. It serves as a key platform for dialogue on systemic reforms and business proposals.

What Joining the Agreement Will Bring

Joining the Agreement will provide the Kyrgyz Republic with a more modern, transparent, and efficient system of working with investors. This includes higher-quality information, enhanced digital services, predictable procedures, improved institutional coordination, and reduced administrative barriers.

Developing countries benefit from transitional periods and access to technical assistance. Therefore, an objective self-assessment helps the Kyrgyz Republic determine which provisions can be implemented immediately and which require additional resources and time.

Preparation for joining the WTO Agreement is not a formal exercise - it is a step toward real improvements in the country’s investment climate. The national self-assessment and its validation form the foundation for modernizing administrative processes, digital services, and mechanisms of interaction between the state and the business community.

On 19 November, the team of the Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic took part in the two-day Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Business Forum, held on 18–19 November in Bishkek.

The forum brought together government representatives from CAREC member countries, international financial institutions, private sector leaders and investors to discuss regional connectivity, logistics, digital trade and emerging investment opportunities.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Chief of Staff of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Adylbek Kasymaliev, and President of the Asian Development Bank, Masato Kanda.

In their remarks, they highlighted the country’s strong economic growth, the rise in investment flows, strengthening macroeconomic indicators, and the implementation of major infrastructure projects — from logistics corridors to the modernisation of transport hubs. Special emphasis was placed on the objectives of the National Development Program of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2030.

The Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bakyt Sydykov, moderated the key sessions of the second day, focusing on the development of the Kyrgyz Republic’s regional potential. He presented the main directions of the National Development Program, underscoring priorities in industrialisation, logistics, digital trade, green energy and the advancement of human capital.

Focus on logistics, digital trade and investments

Discussions during the forum covered:

• the formation of the Kyrgyz Republic as a regional logistics hub;
• digitalisation of trade, development of the “single window” system, cross-border data exchange;
• opportunities for PPPs and private capital mobilisation;
• development of key transport corridors, including the China–Kyrgyz Republic–Uzbekistan railway and the North–South highway;
• mechanisms for stimulating investment and new directions for export growth.

Participants noted that the country continues to demonstrate stable momentum: economic growth has exceeded 9% for four consecutive years, investment in fixed capital is rising, and the labour market is generating tens of thousands of new jobs.

The Secretariat held productive consultations with representatives of ADB, business associations, international companies and government institutions of CAREC countries, discussing further cooperation in reforms, development of logistics corridors and investment initiatives.

Significance of the forum

The CAREC Business Forum 2025 served as an important platform for promoting the investment potential of the Kyrgyz Republic and shaping coordinated approaches to the development of transport, logistics, digital trade and regional integration.

The Secretariat will continue its systematic work to strengthen dialogue, support projects and advance initiatives aimed at improving the country’s business environment and investment climate.

Following the roundtable “Promoting Sustainable Tourism and Reducing the Carbon Footprint,” held in Issyk-Kul, work continues on systematizing the proposals and defining the next steps. The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic has published the draft resolution of the participants and opened the submission of proposals until 21 November.

The topic of sustainable tourism is especially relevant for the Issyk-Kul region, where the annual seasonal load on infrastructure, energy systems and ecosystems requires a transition to new development models. At the same time, the significance of the discussed measures extends far beyond the region — green tourism is becoming part of the sustainable economic policy of the Kyrgyz Republic as a whole.

The roundtable brought together government agencies, the tourism sector, international partners, financial institutions and experts. The main focus was on the introduction of energy-efficient and green technologies, expanding access to green financing, strengthening human capacity, improving educational standards and creating incentives for enterprises willing to transition to sustainable operational models.

The Secretariat of the Business and Investments Development Council under the Cabinet of Ministers was represented by PPP expert Cholpon Asakeeva and Chyngyz Namazaliev, Head of the Secretariat of the Regional Investment Council of Issyk-Kul region. They emphasized the importance of public–private partnership as a practical mechanism for implementing sustainable solutions and highlighted the need to support entrepreneurs transitioning to green standards.

The resolution will be formally submitted to the Secretariat of the Regional Investment Council of the Issyk-Kul region, coordinated by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (Tourism Department), the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the region, and with the active participation of KATO and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will be reviewed at the upcoming meeting of the Regional Investment Council for subsequent approval and implementation.

The Issyk-Kul Regional Investment Council plays a central role in institutionalizing the proposed measures and overseeing their implementation. It becomes the key mechanism through which the green agenda moves from discussion to practical action.

The draft resolution covers a wide range of issues — from updating educational standards to expanding green financing and developing regional infrastructure. Before adoption, the document must undergo an open consultation process. At this stage, it is important for tourism companies, resorts, guest houses, municipalities, sector associations, engineering and energy organizations and educational institutions to present their positions and propose adjustments based on real needs.

Proposals are particularly valuable regarding barriers to implementing green technologies, financing requirements, workforce development, support measures for SMEs and regional specificities.

Proposals are accepted until 21 November 2025 at:
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The Secretariat of the Council and the Secretariat of the Regional Investment Council of Issyk-Kul region will continue close cooperation with partners to ensure that the adopted measures become an effective tool for the development of green tourism — both in the Issyk-Kul region and across the Kyrgyz Republic.

On November 11, in the city of Osh, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Osh region, Elchibek Dzhantaev, held a meeting with Gholamreza Mozaffari, the Governor of Khorasan Razavi Province of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who led the official delegation.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state of long-standing friendly and partnership relations between the two regions, as well as prospects for their further development. Special attention was given to expanding cooperation in trade and economy, culture, investment, and education.

As a result of the meeting, Elchibek Dzhantaev and Gholamreza Mozaffari signed a Roadmap for Cooperation between Osh Region and Khorasan Razavi Province for 2025–2026, outlining key directions and specific projects aimed at deepening interregional ties.

Within the framework of the visit, a business forum was held, bringing together entrepreneurs, government representatives, and media from both countries. The participants discussed the prospects for investment and trade cooperation, as well as opportunities in tourism and education.

The event was also attended by Myktybek Osmonaliev, Coordinator of the Regional Investment Councils for the southern regions, who presented information on the activities of the Council and the Regional Investment Councils, emphasizing the role of PPP platforms in strengthening regional investment cooperation.

At the end of the forum, B2B meetings were held between entrepreneurs of the two countries, during which potential joint projects were discussed.