On 15 December, Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Regional Investment Council of Jalal-Abad Region hosted the national forum “ECO-Chatkal 2030: Investments and Climate Resilience” in Bishkek.

The event brought together representatives of government authorities, international organizations, the expert community, the private sector, and civil society to discuss the launch of a national label pilot for sustainable development in the Chatkal District, as well as the application of climate finance mechanisms.

The forum was moderated by Uluk Kydyrbaev, Head of the Secretariat of the Council under the Cabinet of Ministers.

During the forum, participants presented scientific and analytical justifications for selecting the Chatkal District as a pilot territory, discussed the institutional model of the label pilot, and outlined priority economic areas for its implementation, including green energy, organic agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism, and creative industries.

Special attention was given to opportunities for mobilizing international climate finance instruments, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), debt-for-nature and debt-for-climate swap mechanisms, as well as carbon and biodiversity credits. The importance of effective interagency coordination and institutional support for the initiative was also emphasized.

Following expert, institutional, and sectoral sessions, forum participants agreed on a final resolution containing a consolidated proposal to launch the national label pilot and climate finance mechanisms in the Chatkal District. The resolution is advisory in nature and will be officially submitted to the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The forum confirmed strong interest from government institutions and international partners in developing the Chatkal District as a pilot model for sustainable development of mountainous regions, and reaffirmed the role of the Regional Investment Council of Jalal-Abad Region as a key regional platform for advancing strategic development initiatives.

As part of the Investment Forum “Investment Vector: Government and Business,” the Secretariat teams of the Regional Investment Councils (RICs) operating under the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the regions took active part in the event.

At present, the Secretariat teams of the Regional Investment Councils are functioning in six regions of the Kyrgyz Republic and serve as a key institutional mechanism for dialogue between the business community and public authorities at the regional level. Their work is focused on supporting investment initiatives, collecting and systematizing proposals from entrepreneurs, and promoting public–private partnership (PPP) mechanisms in the regions.

At the conclusion of the Forum, Uluk Kydyrbaev, Head of the Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, presented letters of appreciation to the Secretariat teams of the Regional Investment Councils in recognition of their contribution to strengthening investment dialogue and supporting entrepreneurial initiatives across the regions.

Commemorative gifts were also presented to the RIC coordinators for their contribution to interregional coordination: Myktybek Osmonaliev, Coordinator for the southern regions, and Abdu-Salam Tairov, Coordinator for the northern regions.

The Regional Investment Councils (RICs) operate under the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the regions. The Secretariat teams of the RICs carry out their activities within the framework of a tripartite agreement between the Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Public–Private Partnership Center under the National Investment Agency. Support for the implementation of the Council’s initiatives is provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

As part of the Investment Forum “Investment Vector: Government and Business,” a practical panel session titled “Investments as a Driver of Growth: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Solutions” was held. The session was moderated by Uluk Asankaryevich Kydyrbaev, Head of the Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The discussion brought together representatives of regional authorities, sectoral business associations, development institutions, and the private investment sector. The focus was placed on concrete instruments that enable the practical implementation of investment projects, ranging from regional infrastructure development and investor facilitation to the role of organized business, development institutions, and venture capital.

Regional Focus: Osh Region as a Growth Hub

Iliyaz Azizbekovich Tashbaev, First Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Osh Region, presented an approach to regional development that positions the Osh Region as a key “growth hub” for unlocking the investment potential of southern regions. His presentation emphasized priority sectors such as agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, logistics, and green energy. Particular attention was given to the “one-stop-shop” principle and the strengthening of dialogue with investors through the Regional Investment Council as a practical mechanism for reducing administrative barriers and supporting projects at the regional level.

Investment Climate in Practice: Speed and Predictability

Rustam Baltabaev, Executive Director of the Association for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Kyrgyz Republic, focused on the practical essence of the investment climate. He noted that investors respond not to slogans but to real business conditions, where speed in obtaining permits and connections, access to finance and human capital, and regulatory predictability play a decisive role. He also emphasized the importance of business associations as an “infrastructure of trust” between the state and investors and highlighted the need for systematic dialogue based on clear rules, timelines, and accountability.

Private Investments: Structuring Projects for Investors

Cholponbek Zhumashukurov, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Highland Capital, shared a practical perspective from the investment fund’s experience, covering the logic of investors, the stages of project preparation, and the sectors most attractive for capital allocation. He noted that the fund has been operating since 2018, has invested in several companies, and has gone through a long capital-raising cycle. Among the most promising sectors he highlighted tourism, energy, healthcare, agro-processing, and technology.

Venture Capital and the Growth Economy: Building a Project Pipeline

Daniel Abdyldaev, Investment Director at Accelerate Prosperity, outlined the development of the venture and startup ecosystem, from incubation and angel investment to venture capital. He stressed the importance of building a sustainable pipeline of high-quality projects for the country’s long-term growth. His presentation included key performance indicators of Accelerate Prosperity’s activities and portfolio in the Kyrgyz Republic, including the number of supported entrepreneurs, portfolio companies, and volumes of attracted investment and financing.

IFC: A Development Institution and Its Practical Contribution

Dmitry Pyatachenko, Head of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted IFC’s role as a development institution providing both investment and advisory support to the country. He noted that IFC offers advisory assistance to the Kyrgyz side in preparing and structuring public–private partnership (PPP) projects in the energy sector, including renewable energy initiatives that are also considered as pilot projects. In parallel, IFC is actively involved in advancing the national PPP agenda and supporting the preparation of major infrastructure projects.

He also emphasized IFC’s contribution to the healthcare sector through the promotion of the first PPP projects, including initiatives related to the provision of hemodialysis services, which serve as practical examples of implementing PPP mechanisms in the social sector. In the financial sector, IFC is implementing investment projects aimed at developing the capital market, including investments in the issuance of sustainable bonds in the Kyrgyz Republic through the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB), demonstrating the potential of long-term financing instruments and the sustainable (“green”) agenda.

Conclusion of the Discussion

The panel session reaffirmed the Forum’s core message: investments are most effectively launched where there is a clear regional strategy, functioning investor support mechanisms, an organized dialogue between the state and business, and financial instruments capable of supporting projects at all stages—from concept development to scaling.

The Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic will continue its work to strengthen public–private dialogue, reduce administrative barriers, enhance regulatory predictability, and promote a project-based approach in investment policy.

On 15 December 2025, the Investment Forum “Investment Vector: Government and Business” held at the State Residence of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 1 in Bishkek. The Forum was organized by the National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Forum served as a high-level platform for open dialogue between government authorities, the business community, international financial institutions, and development partners. The event focused on discussing key priorities of the national investment policy, mechanisms for improving the investment climate, and practical tools for strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.

A welcoming address was delivered by Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and Head of the Presidential Administration, who emphasized the strategic importance of investment attraction for sustainable economic development and highlighted the role of trust between the state and business.

During the official opening session, remarks were also delivered by:

• Ravshanbek Sabirov, Director of the National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Temirbek Sariyev, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Uluk Kydyrbaev, Head of the Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Ayten Rustamova, Regional Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

In his address, Uluk Kydyrbaev noted that the Council continues to consistently fulfill its key role as an institutional platform for public–private dialogue, ensuring systematic interaction between business and government, supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, and developing coordinated solutions aimed at improving the business environment.

It was emphasized that the Council remains focused on practical issues, including the reduction of administrative barriers, increasing regulatory predictability, the development of investment and public–private partnership projects, and strengthening the role of regions within the national investment agenda.

As part of the Forum, a panel session moderated by Uluk Kydyrbaev brought together representatives of government bodies, the business community, and international development institutions. The discussion addressed regional approaches to unlocking investment potential, the role of business associations in improving the investment climate, the engagement of development institutions and venture mechanisms, as well as practical models for investment attraction.

Forum was also dedicated to presenting digital investor support tools, including the invest.gov.kg investment portal, the Automated Investment Information System, and the InvestKG chatbot.

Following the Forum, a resolution was adopted outlining key proposals and priorities for further efforts to enhance the investment climate. The event reaffirmed the relevance of open dialogue formats and marked another step toward strengthening trust between the state and the business community.

The Secretariat of the Business Development and Investments Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic will continue its systematic work to advance public–private dialogue, support investment initiatives, and foster sustainable conditions for the country’s long-term economic growth.