WG discusses preparations for November High Level Development Forum

On September 3, the Working Group on Regional Development under the Economy Ministry discussed preparations for the November High Level Development Forum. Particular attention was paid to the development of regions in Kyrgyzstan.

Unresolved problems of the country's socio-economic development contribute to the deepening of imbalances in the development of the country's regions.

In 2018, almost half of all attracted foreign direct investment fell to Bishkek (43.1%), almost a third part – to the Chui oblast(29.3%) and one sixth of them to Jalal-Abad (15.1%).

The high differentiation of investment opportunities in the regions, their significant stratification by the level of investment attractiveness, suggests that a large share of the regions needs to develop an effective set of measures to attract financing.

The concept of regional development of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2018-2022 identified 20 pilot cities – growth points that should become economic locomotives that contribute to the socio-economic development of the territories adjacent to them. However, regional development has a number of problematic issues.

To solve the key problems of regional development in Kyrgyzstan, additional targeted and strategic efforts are required from national, regional and local stakeholders, as well as from the national and international business community and international development partners. It is important that efforts are focused on key priorities for reform and change, and be agreed among all stakeholders.