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Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 18 May 2015 – Kyrgyzstan Spatial, the University of Central Asia’s Institute of Public Policy and Administration (UCA IPPA) and International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI) interactive online mapping tool and knowledge platform, was recently featured at the top of the list as a cutting-edge technology in Top Solutions That Save Lives in Humanitarian Response and Disaster Relief, a report by Aid and International Development Forum (AIDF).

Bishkek, 19 May 2015 (UNHCR) - Today the UN Refugee Agency in Kyrgyzstan (UNHCR) donated some IT equipment to State Registration Service to enhance the capacity of its Call Centre set up for the eradication of Statelessness. The special phone equipment, server and a database will support and strengthen the work of the Centre, which receives up to 300 weekly calls from different parts of the country.

High-level representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) discussed the process of transition in the EBRD region and the latest economic forecast in Bishkek this week.

BISHKEK, 16 May 2015 – OSCE parliamentarians led by Kyrgyzstan’s Roza Aknazarova joined government and parliamentary leaders and representatives of international organizations and civil society in Bishkek on May 15-16, calling for improvements in women’s rights and opportunities, exchanging experiences and best practices and discussing how to fully harness the power of legislatures to help achieve gender equality.

Performance under the previous Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, which expired last July, was good. Macroeconomic stability was restored, fiscal consolidation was stronger than planned, monetary policy was enhanced through a new interest rate-based framework, and supervision was strengthened in the financial sector. Nevertheless, the economy is facing challenges: (i) a weak regional economic environment, (ii) some key reforms have yet to be implemented, particularly in PFM and the banking sector, and (iii) a higher public debt due to the materialization of an ambitious investment program. Accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is expected to take effect in May, and parliamentary elections are slated for late 2015. Program objectives. 
IMF Country Report No. 15/113

The IMF has approved a $92 million loan to the Kyrgyz Republic to back a reform program aimed at bolstering the country’s resilience to the slowdown in Russia and other external factors.

Osh, 14-15 May 2015 (UNHCR) – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) this week supported a Youth Forum entitled, “Youths with right steps to achieve good objectives”, in Jalal-Abad province, as part of its peace-building activities.

BTB will be able to lend larger amounts for longer tenors thanks to a risk-sharing facility with the EBRD. The EBRD and Bai Tushum Bank (BTB), one of the largest financial institutions in the Kyrgyz Republic, signed a participation agreement that will enable BTB to offer longer terms and larger loans to its clients.

Latest EBRD economic forecast: growth is subdued in Central Asia due to recession in Russia, lower commodity prices. Economies in Central Asia, including Mongolia, are set to continue growing this year, according to the EBRD’s latest Regional Economic Prospects report. But the pace of expansion is slowing because of recession in Russia and lower commodity prices.