New Partnerships Aim to Turn Kyrgyz Students into Entrepreneurs

On October 20, the investment fund Central Asia Capital signed strategic cooperation agreements with Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University (KNU) and the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU) to promote practice-oriented education, support student startups, and create new employment opportunities. The partnerships aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing students with hands-on business experience, mentorship, and pathways to entrepreneurship. “Our agreements with KNU and KRSU are a major step toward creating conditions where students not only gain knowledge but also apply it in real business settings. This is a strategic investment in the future of Kyrgyzstan’s economy,” said Anton Sobin, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Central Asia Capital. A flagship initiative under the agreements will be the launch of an Acceleration School, where students can develop business projects, receive expert mentorship, and compete for investment grants. “We want young people to see that they can build successful businesses in Kyrgyzstan without going abroad,” Sobin emphasized. Under the agreement with KNU, the fund will support curriculum modernization, scholarship programs, and internship placements within its subsidiaries and partner firms. The KRSU partnership emphasizes innovation and startup support, along with infrastructure development. Planned upgrades include a new innovation lab, enhanced sports facilities, and improvements to the university campus. Central Asia Capital will also assist in the renovation of KRSU’s educational and recreational complex at Lake Issyk-Kul.

EBRD Launches Online Mentoring Platform for Entrepreneurs in Tajikistan

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tajikistan have a new avenue of support: the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched an online platform offering mentoring and professional consultations. The initiative is funded by the Government of Switzerland. A Global Community for Tajik Entrepreneurs The new platform, MicroMentor.tj, connects Tajik business owners with a global network of more than 420,000 entrepreneurs and 120,000 mentors across 180 countries. Available in six languages, including Russian, the service is free and accessible to entrepreneurs even in remote regions of Tajikistan. The platform aims to expand opportunities for SMEs, foster innovation, support business development, and generate employment. Promotion of the platform within the country is supported by local partner Shedevr, headed by Muboriz Subkhonov. Mentoring as a Growth Tool The EBRD has long supported SMEs not only through financial instruments but also via non-financial services such as mentoring, sector-specific consultations, training, and educational events. According to the bank, 77% of entrepreneurs who engaged actively with mentors reported increased revenues. The new platform builds on the Mentoring for Women Entrepreneurs program, which supported more than 100 participants from Dushanbe, Khatlon, Sughd, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), with guidance from 50 mentors from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. Over a nine-month period, 108 mentor-mentee pairs were formed. Nearly all participants reported tangible outcomes: 95% improved their business skills 93% expanded their businesses 90% created new jobs EBRD Updates Strategy for Tajikistan Coinciding with the platform’s launch, the EBRD approved a new country strategy for Tajikistan through 2030, prioritizing structural reforms, private sector development, and sustainable growth in energy, transport, and urban infrastructure. “The new strategy reflects our commitment to supporting Tajikistan’s economic development through a comprehensive approach combining financial resources, policy dialogue, and technical assistance,” the EBRD press service stated. The bank plans to support projects that enhance competitiveness and foster technological independence. To date, the EBRD has invested more than €1 billion in Tajikistan’s economy across 185 projects. According to the latest Regional Economic Prospects report, the EBRD forecasts Tajikistan’s GDP growth at 7% in 2025 and 5.7% in 2026. Key drivers include infrastructure investments, private sector expansion, and advancements in digital technologies and energy. The new strategy integrates investment, advisory support, and regulatory reform to create a more favorable business environment for Tajikistan’s growing economy.