Kompanion Bank has held 11th Apple Festival where gardeners managed to sell 1,500 tons of apples. The event took place on September 24th in Kyzyl-Bulak village (Kadamjay region, Batken oblast). The main purpose of the festival was to develop relations between sellers and buyers of agricultural products to strengthen the capacity of communities.

In his welcome speech, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of the Kyrgyz Republic Turdunazir Bekboev accentuated the importance of such events for development of agriculture in Kyrgyzstan as one of the priority sectors of economy.

This year the festival acquired international scale―a delegation from Uzbekistan headed by Deputy Akim (Mayor) of Fergana Oblast Kamoridin Imamov visited the event. The festival hosted gardeners from France too. They visited several gardens and apple storages, shared their fruit growing experience, and showed special methods of fruit tree grafting.

“Development and support of communities in Kyrgyzstan is Kompanion Bank’s strategic goal, which reflects in our mission. That’s why we pay particular attention to the development of agriculture, have in-house agronomists and veterinarians, and arrange such events. We held Apple Festivals since 2006 in various regions of the country, and we are determined to carry on this good tradition,” shared Ulanbek Termechikov, Kompanion’s CEO.

The festival was accompanied by a varied concert program, quizzes, and testing of apple dishes. There was also an exhibition fair of agricultural products.

During the event, Kompanion Bank’s agronomists and veterinarians provided free consultations to all interested farmers.

Kompanion Bank will hold the 12th Apple Festival in Leylek region of Batken oblast in September 2017.

ABOUT THE BANK:

Established in 2004, Kompanion passed all stages of institutional development and today it is a sustainable Bank with assets of KGS 6.5 billion and equity of KGS 1 billion and 600 thousand. From the day of its establishment, Bank has significantly expanded its presence in Kyrgyzstan’s market. As of August 31, 2016, Kompanion Bank had 107 outlets throughout the country, about 100,000 clients, and more than 1,000 employees. Kompanion is the only bank in Kyrgyzstan that has a development team of 32 highly qualified agronomists and veterinarians.