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The Government of Switzerland is launching a new development program “BaI Alai - Business and Income generation Programme in Alai and Chon Alai”, in two districts of the Osh oblast in the Kyrgyz Republic. The program will be implemented by a consortium of organizations composed of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation and Aga Khan Foundation in Kyrgyzstan.

 

Alai and Chon Alai districts with the population of 100 000 people are considered to be one of poor remote mountainous areas in the south of the country bordering with Tajikistan and China. To improve life conditions of people living in these areas the project will help to generate employment among people, particularly for women and youth.

The program “Bai Alai” will support local small and medium enterprises, with the aim to contribute to production and processing of livestock products: sheep breeding, poultry, cashmere value chain and others. It is planned to help in development of the whole value chain: «farmer-processor-trader-consumer». Knowledge and skills on how to start up a viable business in the region will be shared with local entrepreneurs and authorities. 

The project will also help to diversify services and products produced in Alai and Chon Alai districts. For example, in tourism sector, entrepreneurs will learn how to run hospitality business in mountainous areas.  

Switzerland will provide US$ 3 million for the first four-year phase of the project. It is envisaged that the project will be working for 10 years to help the entrepreneurs of the Alai and Chon Alai districts to be economically sustainable.  

For more details please contact: Tursunai Chodurova, Public Relations Officer of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic, tel.: (0312) 301036, email:  tursunai.chodurova@eda.admin.ch

The Government of Switzerland provides assistance for the development of the Kyrgyz Republic and supports projects in areas such as health, private sector development, public sector reform, and infrastructure.