January 14, 2015, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic—The World Bank Group is helping the Kyrgyz Republic create an investment-friendly business climate as part of a broader effort to encourage economic growth in the country.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development rallied to the support of emerging economies in 2014 as they struggled to emerge from a six-year slump, under pressure from geopolitical tensions and a fragile Eurozone.
Money will be on-lent to small businesses, mainly outside Kazakhstan’s largest cities. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is stepping up its efforts to support the private sector in Kazakhstan by providing a KZT 10 billion five year loan to Bank CenterCredit (BCC) for on-lending to micro, small and medium enterprises. At least 60 per cent of the loan proceeds will be distributed outside of the main cities of Almaty and Astana.
Additional loan and grant will buy maintenance equipment and stimulate reform. The EBRD and international donors are supporting vital infrastructure in Tajikistan with a financing package of over US$ 5 million for critical maintenance of the national road network.
EBRD provides US$ 2 million to its partner bank to help SMEs and families save energy. The EBRD has provided new lending to Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB), one of its partner banks in the country, to increase financing for energy efficiency projects.
Bank raises over EUR 10 million to modernise passenger transportation in Osh. EBRD funding of over EUR 10 million will help modernise public transport in Osh by putting 24 new buses and 20 new trolleybuses on the roads of the second largest city in the Kyrgyz Republic and the largest city in the southern region of the country, as well as creating its first formal ticket system.
Kyrgyz citizens and other citizens with resident permit in the Kyrgyz Republic travelling to the Czech Republic can apply for Schengen visa at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bishkek starting from 15th of January 2015.
December 16, 2014, Ak-Say, Batken province: Today local authorities in Ak-Say (Batken province) presented their crime prevention Action Plan for 2015 – 2017 to the public. Twenty-nine local residents took part in writing the plan.