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USAID Supports Central Asian Women Working in Hospitality

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Association of Businesswomen “Tadbirkor Ayol” last week hosted a Central Asian Conference on “Women of Central Asia in the Hospitality Business: Current Challenges and Opportunities”. The event in Tashkent attracted some 200 women entrepreneurs, professionals, and industry experts from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan to discuss achievements, trends, and challenges in the region’s hospitality sector. As reported by the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan, the conference focused on service quality, digitalization, and modern standards in tourism, culminating in recommendations to enhance regional cooperation in tourism and hospitality. Praising the resilience and creativity of women in the hospitality industry and emphasizing their role in the sector’s future, Edward Michalski, USAID Deputy Mission Director in Uzbekistan, commented: “Investing in women and girls is essential to transforming communities. When women do better, families do better, communities do better, and countries do better.” Gulnora Makhmudova, Chairwoman of “Tadbirkor Ayol,” noted that the growing importance of the region’s hotel business and the increasing involvement of women, had spurred the association into launching “Women in the Hotel Business: Hospitality from the Future;” a project aimed to introduce innovation and digitalization in the hospitality sector. Since its launch in April 2024, with support from USAID, the project has provided training for 115 women in modern hotel management in Tashkent, Andijan, and Samarkand.

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Kyrgyzstan Seeks Investment in Energy

On June 10, The Kyrgyz Republic International Energy Investment Forum, organized by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic with support from the World Bank Group and the Government of Austria, opened in Vienna. In his address to representatives of international financial organizations, delegations from Central Asian, European, and Middle East countries, and private investors, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov emphasized the importance of discussions on the construction of Kambarata HPP-1 not only for Kyrgyzstan but also for the entire Central Asian region. Japarov then presented a paper on “Economic prospects and investment climate in the Kyrgyz Republic,” in which he stated, “In recent years, the economic growth of Kyrgyzstan has broken all records and demonstrated exceptionally sustainable development. The average GDP growth rate was 7%. And in the first quarter of 2024, the rate of economic growth accelerated to 8.8%.” Referencing the country’s “period of revival” in its energy sector, he continued, “Tariffs are being reviewed and better conditions provided in the form of benefits and preferences for investors. The implementation of more than 50 renewable energy projects has begun throughout the country. The state, on its own, has built and recently launched the Bala-Saruu hydroelectric power plant, which will provide electricity to the [country’s north-western] Talas region.” The head of the Cabinet of Ministers called on all international organizations to collaborate in implementing projects in the Kyrgyz energy sector especially the large-scale construction of Kambarata HPP-1 and stressed, “I am deeply convinced that through joint efforts the largest hydroelectric power plant in the region will be built and new horizons for green energy will open in the Central Asian region.” Japarov also touched upon Kyrgyzstan's tourist potential and with regard to winter sports, announced: “We are starting the construction of a Kyrgyz Courchevel. The French company S3V, one of the first operators of the world- famous resort of Courchevel, is implementing the Three Peaks ski cluster in Kyrgyzstan with plans for around 200 km of ski slopes. The resort will operate all year round and able to receive up to 850 thousand tourists annually, will become the largest in Central Asia. In addition, we are launching the construction of a resort near Bishkek with a 20-kilometer funicular, which will operate both winter and summer. In winter, it will provide a unique opportunity to ski within a 20-minute drive from the capital, Bishkek. All technical structures will be built by the Austrian company Doppel Maier.”

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U.S. Delivers Cutting-Edge Technology to Kyrgyzstan’s Renewable Energy Sector

The U.S. government – via the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Power Central Asia activity – has delivered a Light Detection and Ranging unit to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy. As reported by the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, accurate wind measurements provided by the cutting-edge technology will prove invaluable in the development of the country’s renewable energy projects and do much to attract investment. At the handover ceremony, Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibrayev commented that the Light Detection and Ranging equipment will not only enhance the effective use of renewable energy sources, but also improve financial forecasts and accelerate the introduction of wind farms and wind energy in Kyrgyzstan. To support the initiative, the USAID Power Central Asia activity has trained local technical staff in the use of the wind measurement equipment. USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Mission Director, Kaya Adams, stated: “The Kyrgyz Republic can ensure that all future wind projects will be both strategically located and implemented with the highest precision for maximum efficiency.  This efficiency is crucial for making informed investment decisions that will sustainably shape the country’s energy future.” The USAID Power Central Asia activity is a five-year, regional energy initiative to improve the performance of Central Asia’s energy sectors by introducing more competitive means of producing clean energy, boosting energy security and resiliency through greater regional connectivity, and expanding cross-border electricity trade. Since the inception of Power Central Asia in 2020, USAID has leveraged $2.2 billion in clean energy investments and facilitated the installation of 2,241 Megawatts of clean energy capacity across the regions.

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Airport Opens in Talas, Kyrgyzstan

Following its year-long reconstruction, Talas airport in north-west Kyrgyzstan reopened on 21 May. Built in 1979 to receive planes and helicopters, the airport had not been operational since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The facility now has a runway that adheres to international standards and a terminal which can accommodate 100 passengers per hour. Speaking at the launch, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov stated that the reconstruction in Talas marked a significant step in progressing the government’s plans to resume air communication with the country’s regions through the revival of several redundant airports. Construction of terminals is currently underway at international airports in the city of Karakol and the village of Tamchy in the Issyk-Kul region. The runway at the Naryn regional airport is under repair and the reconstruction of the runways at airports in Kazarman, Kerben, and Batken in the south, are nearing completion.

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Japanese Company to Develop Urban Master Plan for Bishkek

A Memorandum of Cooperation in urban planning and architecture has been signed between the Bishkek municipality and Nikken Sekkei Ltd, a Japanese architectural, planning and engineering firm. Based on a survey of amenities required by the capital’s citizens, the project represents the Japanese company’s first foray into urban planning in Central Asia. The project was approved by the Chief Architect of Bishkek, Urmat Karybaev, who accompanied Mayor of Bishkek Aibek Junushaliev during their attendance at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024. Hosted by Tokyo last week, the large-scale event brought together leaders from cities in five continents to exchange ideas and discuss advanced technologies and strategies aimed at sustainable urban development. As reported by the municipality’s press service, the deal substantially satisfied Bishkek’s goal to establish new partnerships, exchange knowledge and adopt best practices for the further development of the city.

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Russian Online Retailer Wildberries to Build Logistics Center in Kyrgyzstan

Wildberries, Russia’s largest online marketplace, is set to build a logistics center spanning 300,000 square meters in the Chui region of northern Kyrgyzstan to service cross-border e-commerce. The initiative was confirmed on 16 May in Kazan, Russia, in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation by Wildberries, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce, and the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Chui region. The large-scale infrastructure project represents an important milestone in trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan. As part of its positive impact on the Kyrgyz economy, the ministry says the initiative will help raise employment, and increase the volume of the economically active population through the development and emergence of new small and medium-sized enterprises, contractors, and buyers. Kyrgyzstan is currently home to two other Wildberries centres in Bishkek and Osh servicing some 130 order delivery points across the country. E-commerce is rapidly growing in Kyrgyzstan and to date, over 17,000 Kyrgyz sellers are registered on the Russian marketplace, compared to about 7,000 in 2022.