Bishkek, 31 May, 2007 — Representatives of the Kyrgyz Government, Kyrgyz civil society and private sector, international development agencies and bilateral donors met today to discuss issues of social and economic development in the Kyrgyz Republic and determine the role each partner can play in helping the country achieve its development goals. The Development Forum was organized by the Kyrgyz Government with the help of the World Bank and other donors, and was co-chaired by Almazbek Atambaev, Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Annette Dixon, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Kurmanbek Bakiev participated in the Meeting. The event was attended by representatives of 15 countries and 12 international organizations1.  |  |  | | The Forum brought together representatives of 15 countries and 12 international organizations | Co-Chairs of the Development Forum: Prime Minister of the KR Atambaev and World Bank Country Director Annette Dixon | Informal discussions with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Kurmanbek Bakiev |
“We need to ensure a capable and honest public authority with effective and transparent governance system, which has a well thought structure and functions” – said President of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakiev. President noted a special importance of improving the business environment in the country. «Development of business climate should run through all the activities of the Country Development Strategy» - Bakiev said.
The donors noted an impressive record of macroeconomic stability in the Kyrgyz Republic. Economic growth has accelerated recently. Overall GDP grew in 2006 by 2.7 percent, and GDP in the non-gold sector by 5.1 percent. This growth has been underpinned by prudent macroeconomic management, a stable exchange rate and single-digit inflation. Furthermore, the fiscal performance was the strongest in over a decade, with commendable improvements in public revenue mobilization. Even more importantly, the poverty headcount has fallen from an all time high of 55 percent in 1999 to 43 percent in 2005, and impressively, this reduction has been broad-based across the country. Although poverty is still high, this is an important achievement.
Co-chair of the Forum Annette Dixon noted: “The events over the past two and a half years demonstrate the Kyrgyz Republic as a dynamic and vibrant society where there is a lively debate on development options.” Since the last donor meeting in November 2004, the country has gone though a dynamic period of political change and evolution of its democracy and institutions. “This Development Forum provides an opportunity for government to reaffirm to donors its development vision and the role donors can play in supporting the realization of sustained growth and improvements in living standards of all Kyrgyz citizens.” – Dixon said.  |  | | Civil society representatives participated in the work of the Forum | Minister of Finance Japarov answered many questions of journalists |
FORUM MATERIALS:
Agenda
List of Participants - Kyrgyz Republic
List of Participants - Donors Opening Statements:
His Excellency Kurmanbek Bakiev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic (PDF, 53kb)
Ms. Annette Dixon, World Bank Country Director for Central Asia (PDF, 38kb)
Presentations:
Country Development Strategy by Mr. Akylbek Japarov, Minister of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic
Medium-Term Economic Challenges Facing the Kyrgyz Republic by the IMF Mission Chief Mr. Paulo Neuhaus
Building better lives through partnership and participation by Ms. Kori Udovicki, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Europe and the CIS, UN
Economic Development, Absorptive Capacity, and Constraints to Improved Effectiveness by Mr. Sabyrbek Moldokulov, Minister of Economic Development and Trade
Aid Effectiveness by Ms. Pauline Hayes, Head, Europe and Central Asia Department, DFID
Good Governance and Fight Against Corruption by Mr. Almazbek Atambaev, Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic
Governance: Driver for Growth by Juan Miranda, Director, General, Central and West Asia Department, ADB Chairmen’s Concluding Remarks
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1 The Meeting was attended by representatives of Canada, People’s Republic of China, Federal Republic of Germany, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, Kingdom of Sweden, Swiss Confederation, Tajik Republic, Republic of Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America; Aga Khan Development Network, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Commission, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Finance Corporation, International Monetary Fund, International Organization for Migration, Islamic Development Bank, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, United Nations Organization, and the World Bank |
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