ADB vice president reaffirms continued support to Kyrgyzstan during his visit

Bishkek, April 13, 2022. / Kabar /. Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Shixin Chen during his visit to Kyrgyzstan met with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov and reaffirmed the bank’s strong support for the country’s development priorities and reforms, ADB said in its press release. On his first official visit to the country from 7 to 12 April, Mr. Chen also discussed ADB’s ongoing and planned operations with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Zhaparov, Minister of Finance and ADB Governor Almaz Baketaev, Minister of Economy and Commerce and ADB Alternate Governor Daniyar Amangeldiev, and other senior government officials. “ADB and the Kyrgyz Republic have partnered for 28 years to improve the lives of the Kyrgyz people,” said Mr. Chen. “The country has made significant development progress, but challenges remain. As the largest multilateral development partner to the Kyrgyz Republic, we are strongly committed to maintaining our support for government-led reforms to improve the investment climate, promote energy sector development, and diversify the economy.” ADB is preparing a new 5-year country partnership strategy (CPS) for the Kyrgyz Republic to support the country’s economic diversification programs. The 2023–2027 CPS will be aligned closely with the government's development vision and ADB’s Strategy 2030. ADB’s assistance in 2022 is expected to support trade and investment competitiveness, reforms in the education sector, regional health security, and agriculture market development. During the visit, Mr. Chen delivered opening remarks at the Bishkek International Energy Forum, an event organized by the government to discuss energy sector challenges and chaired by Mr. Akylbek Zhaparov. Mr. Chen also visited two ADB-funded projects: a secondary school in Balykchy city that now benefits from sanitary facilities built under the Issyk-Kul Sustainable Development Project, and the Bishkek–Kara–Balta Road, a key transport route that is being reconstructed under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program. Since the Kyrgyz Republic joined ADB in 1994, the bank has committed more than $1.3 billion in loans, $811 million in grants, and $69 million in technical assistance. ADB operations in the country focus on supporting inclusive growth and economic diversification, improving access to public and social services, and leveraging regional cooperation and integration. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members - 49 from the region.