The event has been organized jointly with the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic and the local authorities. The programme is co-financed by the governments of Switzerland and Germany and implemented by GIZ.

The Swiss government will contribute Euro 2.1 million. The additional Swiss funds will be allocated to continue the work in the Jalal-Abad region and to strengthen new value chains in Batken region.

The programme will support the local producers and entrepreneurs for better income prospects and use of green technologies. In Batken region successful business model that worked in Jalal-Abad region will be replicated.

Since 2015, Swiss contribution is totalling almost 7 million Euros. The programme already contributed to put in place profitable private technical advisory services that improved production and opened access to high value international for organic plums and early vegetables. In the Jalal Abad region only almost 1000 new jobs were created; nearly 600 agricultural producers have substantially increased their income; around 140 food processing small and medium enterprises increased their incomes by 40%.

In general the programme promotes green practices ensuring sustainable private sector development in Issyk-Kul, Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken regions of Kyrgyzstan. 

Switzerland has allocated CHF 3.5 mln (around 320 million soms) for the project to contribute to decent work and income opportunities for many people working in this area. It will help to develop cross-country skiing, ice skating, snow shoeing and other winter sport activities in Karakol destination, which then will be roll out in other regions of the country.

The event was attended by representatives of Kyrgyz authorities, international organizations, tourism businesses, civil and expert communities.

“I am confident that through our joint efforts we can achieve success in development of winter tourism. Moreover, we can make our country famous in many parts of the world and create an effective mechanism of sustainable winter tourism development", - said Kiyal Kenjematova, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Information, Tourism and Youth Policy.

“Tourism in Kyrgyzstan can become an important contributor to economic growth, creating income and economic opportunities for many people. Supporting the Kyrgyz Government and other Kyrgyz partners in their efforts to develop the private sector including for tourism remains one of the priorities of the Swiss cooperation”, said Olivier Bangerter, Swiss Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan.

The Swiss project will also address the issues of climate change and environmental protection. During the event, the participants were presented with main areas of work and planned activities.

The first phase of the project is designed for four years and implemented by Helvetas Kyrgyzstan.