Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kyrgyz Football Gets Boost as Construction Starts on New Stadium

Kyrgyzstan is building a 45,000-seat stadium designed to host Asian Football Confederation finals as well as FIFA group matches. This week, President Sadyr Japarov announced that construction on the new stadium near Bishkek had begun and would take two years. Local and Turkish architects and engineers are involved, and there are also several advisers from Britain, he said. The shape of the stadium will aim to evoke a yurt, a circular tent that was a staple of nomadic life in Central Asia for millennia. Last year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged Kyrgyzstan to build a new football stadium to help develop the sport there. Kyrgyzstan’s national team does not have its own dedicated stadium. Currently, it plays matches at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek. The facility, which can hold about 23,000 spectators, is also used by two local clubs.

Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan and U.S. Review Political, Security and Economic Cooperation

On April 22 Bishkek hosted Annual Bilateral Consultations led by the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Aibek Moldogaziev and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pommersheim. Referencing the historic C5+1 Summit held on September 22, 2023 in New York, the parties commended its positive impact on regional cooperation and the U.S.-Kyrgyzstan commitment to enhancing U.S.-Central Asia regional partnership. Deputy Foreign Minister Moldogaziev and Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim reaffirmed the importance of annual bilateral consultations in advancing shared priorities, including political and security cooperation, economic partnership and support for civil society and rule of law. Under security cooperation, discussions focused on counterterrorism, border protection, global health security, and continued defense cooperation, with the United States reiterating its unwavering support for Kyrgyzstan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. Both sides emphasized their commitment to grow and diversify the Kyrgyz economy, increase U.S. private sector investment, improve regional connectivity and trade, expand agricultural cooperation, and advance partnership on critical minerals and the green economy. Collaboration on the continued commitment to addressing social issues included furthering economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and measures to protect public health. Looking towards the realization of creating a resilient, prosperous, and secure Kyrgyzstan, delegates listed media freedom, a strong civil society, respect for human rights -including women’s rights- stronger protection against gender-based violence, judicial independence, and combating corruption, as essential. The parties also discussed the importance of continuing to increase cooperation through educational and English language programmes, emphasizing the important role of direct personal interaction in the countries’ bilateral relationship.

Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

USAID for Cold Storage Facility in South Kyrgyzstan

The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek has announced that equipment valued at over $78,000 has been provided by the U.S. to Kyrgyz company SFN International LLC to open a modern cold storage facility in Jalal-Abad in southern Kyrgyzstan. Ynakbek Abylkasymov, head of SFN International LLC, reported that the new facility’s 1,100 metric ton storage capacity, will enable the company to purchase more produce from farmers and offer cleaning, sorting, packing, and storage services. Referring to benefits afforded to 700 households in the rural south, through improvements of food security, he stated, “The facility will help farmers to reduce waste, improve agriculture quality, and boost income by around 150%. In addition, we plan to create 200 new jobs and help businesses export high-quality fresh produce and dried fruits.” The equipment was provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Agro Trade Activity and in tandem with other U.S.-supported cold storage facilities throughout Kyrgyzstan, will help reduce waste, extend the shelf- life of perishables, maintain market stability, and ensure a reliable and consistent supply of food throughout the year. Commenting on the success of projects to date, James Lykos, Director of USAID/Kyrgyzstan Economic Development Office, said, “Since 2018, the U.S. government has been partnering with Kyrgyz firms to establish over 20 new cold storage facilities in the Kyrgyz Republic’s southern regions. These facilities have a total storage capacity of 12,500 tons, more than doubling the storage capacity in the region, decreasing food spoilage by 40% and creating new income-generating activities for over 4,000 farmers.”

Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture

U.S. Helps Decrease Tuberculosis Mortality Rates in Kyrgyzstan

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Liz Zentos and Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Health Alymkadyr Beishenaliev, attended a national conference on 17 April to review the Cure Tuberculosis partnership. Since 2019, the U.S. government has invested more than $20 million in curing tuberculosis in Kyrgyzstan through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). To date, the joint U.S.-Kyrgyz initiative has provided faster and more accurate tuberculosis diagnosis, improved treatment success rates, and increased community awareness and engagement in efforts to control tuberculosis, resulting in a decrease of tuberculosis mortality rates by over 33% and a reduction of cases by 37%. Praising the project’s success, Ms Zentos announced, “It is a collaborative effort that helped modernize tuberculosis diagnostics, improve patient-centred care, and reform the policy environment to improve tuberculosis treatment for all.” In turn, Minister Beishenaliev expressed gratitude to USAID for its ongoing aid, saying, “The Ministry of Health together with partners will continue to fight tuberculosis in Kyrgyzstan, develop a patient-centred model of tuberculosis care, support outpatient treatment in primary health care, introduce new diagnostic and treatment methods, develop and integrate tuberculosis information systems, and strengthen cooperation in tuberculosis prevention and care.”

Central Asia Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan International Affairs

Google to Help Transform Kyrgyzstan’s School Education System

On his recent visit to Washington, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov signed a memorandum of understanding with the Google Corporation to transform Kyrgyzstan’s school education system. During the meeting with Google Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy Mark Isakowitz, Prime Minister Japarov gave a presentation on ‘Altyn Kazyk’ (‘Polar Star’) and acknowledging Google’s support, stated: “We are proud that we have become the first country in the region to cooperate with Google Education and will apply the most advanced developments in schools throughout Kyrgyzstan, which will help our teachers and schoolchildren master the most advanced knowledge.” Scheduled to run for ten years, the project sets ambitious goals for investment in human capital. In outlining its aims, Japarov announced, “Our goal is that the children of Kyrgyzstan, our young men and women, are provided with opportunities to acquire world-class knowledge and skills and to fully realize their potential. The program is called ‘Polar Star’ because investments in human capital are our main guiding star.” The Google school furnished with the company’s educational tools, will first be launched as a pilot project at one of Bishkek’s schools this spring.

Central Asia Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Low-Income Kyrgyz Citizens Offered Financial Literacy Training

Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration has begun to provide training in financial literacy for low-income citizens from all over the country. Those wishing to participate in the state program known as "Social Contract" were offered free training on the basics of entrepreneurship, marketing and financial literacy. At the first lessons, participants were shown how to create business plans and approach marketing communications. Commented minister Gulnara Baatyrova: "For two years already, a program to support families in difficult economic situations has been implemented. Today, the most successful projects bring start-up entrepreneurs 40,000 som ($500) a month." This year the authorities intend to enter contracts with 20,000 families. Participants will receive $1,100 from the state budget to start their own businesses. Another 3,000 families will be financed using funds from the World Bank. The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan has been promoting a program of financial literacy, especially among children, for many years. Government officials conduct trainings and interactive programs across various media channels. "A person who manages his money manages his life. The family budget is a micro-projection of how things are done in business and the state. Everything should be taken into account, it is necessary to know your expenses and proportion them with income," reads a statement outlining the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan's mission.