President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, on 12 February, met President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Zou Jiayi.
They discussed prospects for joint implementation of large scale projects aimed at industrialising the country, developing transport and logistics links, and strengthening the transit potential of Kyrgyzstan, as well as supporting priority initiatives in the fields of agriculture and energy.
The Head of State noted that Kyrgyzstan views industrialisation as one of the vectors for developing and strengthening the positions of the country in the global economy.
He emphasised the importance of developing sectors with high added value, expanding processing, and modernising industry, inviting the AIIB to active cooperation in this direction.
President Sadyr Zhaparov also focused attention on the development of transport infrastructure and logistics, noting the strategic goal of forming Kyrgyzstan as a regional hub. He noted that the implementation of infrastructure projects in this field will allow for an increase in the competitiveness of the country and create additional opportunities for economic growth.
In his speech, the President also identified the elimination of the electricity deficit as one of the priority tasks, noting plans to increase generation, modernise energy infrastructure, and improve energy efficiency.
He emphasised that the implementation of major projects in this field has strategic significance for Kyrgyzstan.
Furthermore, the Head of State noted the importance of investments in road infrastructure aimed at increasing transport accessibility and developing the regions, and invited the AIIB to further expand partnership on priority projects.
In turn, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Zou Jiayi noted that the AIIB views Kyrgyzstan as one of the most important strategic partners, emphasising that the republic is one of the founding countries of the Bank.
She highly praised the economic policy conducted in the country and noted the steady dynamics of socio-economic development.
Zou Jiayi confirmed the readiness of the AIIB to continue financing ongoing projects and support new initiatives corresponding to the priorities of Kyrgyzstan. She noted the importance of cooperation on infrastructure development, transport and logistics links, expanding trade and investment, as well as supporting the private sector.
Special attention was paid to the construction project of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1. The Head of the AIIB emphasised its significance for strengthening the energy security of the country and expressed the readiness of the Bank to consider the possibility of participating in the financing.
Furthermore, Zou Jiayi reported that the Bank is ready to study opportunities to support the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, awaiting concrete proposals from the Kyrgyz side for further development.
In conclusion, she noted that the AIIB intends to continue considering financial mechanisms and instruments to promote the development of Kyrgyzstan and the implementation of priority projects.
Reported by Kabar (Kyrgyzstan).
