The main counterpart of the IBC in the frame of the project was The Public Association “Support of the government and business partnership”. The project was implemented in the period starting from January 25, 2013 to July 31, 2013. The objective of the project was to trigger a wide stakeholder inclusive dialogue, conducting research that would enable design of a roadmap for a long-term national economic development strategy and identify key milestones of economic development.

Project activities included a desk review to fuel gaining a better understanding of previous national economic development strategies, institutional review, international best practices review, and analysis of the past and current activities of international donor organizations on economic development.

Events conducted in the frame of the project included:

Kick-Off Meeting

On March 19, 2013, the first project event was held with the participation of the First Vice-Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, representatives of the state agencies, international donor organizations and civil society. The meeting highlighted the results of the analysis of previous national economic development strategies and prior donor-funded efforts in economic development.

The presentations by the respective experts included the key factors of success and challenges of development and implementation of such economic development strategies, possible platforms for engagement in the process and call for active participation.

Seminars in the regions

In March and April 2013 5 seminars were held in the rural areas of the country (Karakol, Osh, Jalalabad and Naryn) with the participation of local entrepreneurs. Objectives of the seminars were to have an inclusive discussion on the effectiveness of the national development strategies developed and implemented in the past and to identify challenges and priority objectives.

Press cafes

Starting from April 2013 5 press cafes were conducted on the following subjects:

- On export policy – April 24, 2013

- On agricultural policy – May 21, 2013

- On transportation – June 12,, 2013

- On tourism – May 29, 2013

- On finance – July 12, 2013

Project experts, representatives of business associations and state agencies informed media about current developments on national economic development strategic outlook and actions, the different opinions and perspectives on the issue, carried out a comparative analysis and answered the mass media representatives’ questions.

Study tour

From August 20 to August 31, a study tour to Malaysia and Mongolia was held for Kyrgyz MPs, officials and business association leaders.

The study tour team included Jogorku Kenesh deputies, representatives of the President’s Administration, Prime Minister’s Administration, Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic, and public and business associations. The tour participants travelled to the two countries to observe, discuss, and study the experience, lessons and best practices applied in the implementation of the national economic development strategies within the two countries.

In Malaysia, the Kyrgyz delegation visited the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Malaysian Administrative Modernization and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU), Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), Bursa Malaysia, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), and other agencies and organizations involved in development of economic development strategies.

In Mongolia, the study tour participants met with members of the Mongolian Parliament, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Finance, Mongolian National Mining Association, Business Council of Mongolia, EBI Think-Tank Institute, and Bank of Mongolia.

Final event

On the 8th of October, the project team held the final event on the development and implementation of national development strategies and on the involvement of the business sector in the given processes. Representatives of Jogorku Kenesh and public and private sectors and prominent experts shared their views about economic development and design of effective and realistic strategies.

The project was implemented in 2013 with support of the USAID Local Development Program.