BISHKEK (TCA) — The former British Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Robin Ord-Smith, has been appointed the country’s business ombudsman, according to a decree signed by Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziyev on August 15, the Government’s website reported.
The election of Ord-Smith as the country’s business ombudsman took place in a closed mode, and in June, when he was actually elected, it was not officially confirmed.
RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service earlier reported that Bishkek-based business expert Azamat Akeneev told journalists on June 19 that the decision to elect Ord-Smith was made by a special commission consisting of business groups and associations, representatives of the Kyrgyz government, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The business ombudsman’s post was established by the Kyrgyz government in January.
Robin Ord-Smith, 53, served as the British ambassador to Kyrgyzstan from June 2015 to January 2019.
The EBRD is expected to allocate 1.5 million euros ($1.68 million) for the launch of the business ombudsman’s operations in Kyrgyzstan.
