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IMF Announces Staff-Level Agreement with the Kyrgyz Republic on the Fifth Review of the Extended Credit Facility

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Mr. Christian Beddies, visited Bishkek from September 18 to October 2, 2013 to hold discussions for the fifth review under a three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement (Press Release No. 11/245).

The mission reached staff-level agreement with the Kyrgyz authorities on measures needed for the conclusion of the review. This agreement requires approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, which is expected to consider the Kyrgyz Republic’s request for completion of the fifth review in early December 2013. Upon approval, SDR 9.514 million (about US$15 million) would be made available to the Kyrgyz Republic. This would bring total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 57.084 million (about US$90 million).

Food competition at the Harvest Festival 1

Press tour to Osh province of Kyrgyzstan within the framework of UN Delivering as One 18 and 20 September 2013

Women represent up to 40% of the population, employed in agricultural sector, in the Kyrgyz Republic, where agricultural production prevails. Their rights to land and access to economic resources are limited. The lack of land lot and migration of their male relatives very often are resulting in limited job, income and opportunities for supporting their families. Due to this fact rural women represent the largest part of rural households with permanently low level of food security and restricted opportunities for improving social and economic status.

Political Developments and Education in Afghanistan, 2002-2013: Challenges, Opportunities and Expectations

Public Lecture Announcement
Yahia Baiza, Research Associate, The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS), London, United Kingdom

Abstract
This lecture will describe an analysis of 11 years of international engagements in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on the reconstruction and redevelopment of education. The key purpose of this presentation is to analyse the achievements, challenges and expectations in the field of education over the past 11 years. From 2002 to 13, the international community has supported the development of a modern and moderate state and the peace building process in Afghanistan.

Japan International Cooperation Agency in the Kyrgyz Republic - Newsletter #68 (August-September 2013)

National Sustainable Development Strategy 2013-2017

In the next five years (period of 2013-2017) Kyrgyzstan faces a task of succeeding as a democratic state with stable political system, dynamically growing economy and stable growth in the incomes of its citizens.

This National Strategy of Sustainable Development for the Kyrgyz Republic for the period 2013-2017 (“the Strategy”) is designed to ensure achievement of this task.

The actions contained in the Strategy – in various sectors of policy, as well as specific implementation measures are intended to be coordinated with the budgeting process, with provision of sufficient financial and other resources. We should not rely on pure fantasies and make unrealistic plans. There is no need to copy somebody else’s model, to become "the second Switzerland" or to carbon copy anybody. It is only Kyrgyzstan that we all can be, we should find our own development paths and we should rely on our own capabilities.

NSDS KR 2013-2017 download

THE JOINT COUNTRY SUPPORT STRATEGY (2007-2010)

The Joint Country Support Strategy (JCSS) for the Kyrgyz Republic presents a core strategy of seven development partners to support the Kyrgyz’s development agenda for the period 2007-10. The strategy is a joint effort of: the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Swiss Cooperation (SC), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank Group (WBG), the United Nations Agencies, the Government of Germany, and the European Commission. International Monetary Fund joined the JCSS in 2009.

Internal review and perceptions study of JCSS August 13, 2010 download

Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness

Accra, Ghana

2-4 September 2008

In September 2008, ministers from over 100 countries, heads of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, donor organizations, and civil society organizations from around the world will gather in Accra for the Third High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (2-4 September). Their common objective is to help developing countries and marginalized people in their fight against poverty by making aid more transparent, accountable and results-oriented. The Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (Third HLF) will:

- review progress in improving aid effectiveness

- broaden the dialogue to newer actors

- chart a course for continuing international action on aid effectiveness

The official HLF3 website at http://www.accrahlf.net/

Financial Management Harmonization

Achievements at the international level

In February 2001, the Financial Management Harmonization Working Group (the Working Group) was created by the Presidents of several multilateral development banks (MDBs). The original participating MDBs are African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank. The Islamic Development Bank became a Participating MDB in 2002.

The Working Group meets biannually to address the harmonization of their policies and practices in financial management and analysis, as well as collaborate on Financial Management diagnostic work and in financial reporting and auditing.

Harmonized procurement procedures and documents of donors

Introduction

The World Bank is committed to the international harmonization agenda. At the request of several donors partners, the World Bank is assuming specific additional responsibilities at the global level in support of country-level implementation. While at the international level, these efforts have already resulted in several harmonized standard bidding documents, donors are also focusing on harmonization of procurement procedures and documents at the country-level which will be carried out in two stages.

The first stage would cover harmonization among donors procedures and documents; and the second stage would concern harmonization between the government procedures and those of the donors. In agreement with the government and the donors, therefore, the World Bank has developed for their consideration the following draft harmonized documents and procedures.

First MicroCredit gets EBRD loan in Kyrgyz som equivalent to US$ 1.5m

EBRD helps increase availability of credit for MSMEs in the Kyrgyz Republic, especially in rural areas
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting small businesses in the KyrgyzRepublic by providing funding to The First MicroCredit Company (FMCC) for the benefit of its MSME customers, especially in rural areas.

A loan in Kyrgyz som equivalent to US$ 1.5 million will be on-lent to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with a focus on Osh and Naryn Oblasts.

This local currency loan will help FMCC’s customers, who receive most of their revenues in som to avoid foreign exchange risk.

FMCC is a well-established MFI, wholly owned by the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance, a part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). FMCC has a strong presence in the Southern Osh and Naryn regions, which account for a third of the total population of the KyrgyzRepublic.