OSCE Centre supports dialogue on social and economic sector priorities in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 28 October 2005 - Encouraging the business community and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss joint economic priorities and policies at both national and local levels is the main goal of a roundtable organized today by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

Before today's roundtable, arranged in co-operation with the Congress of Business Associations, the International Business Council and the NGO, Interbilim, some 10 regional meetings were held in all parts of the country after the presidential election in July. These brought together representatives of NGOs, the media and business associations to discuss future economic policies.

"We had very constructive meetings between NGOs and business communities on identfying priority issues of the regions on different social and economic sectors," said Asim Acikel, the OSCE Centre's Economic Officer.

"We hope that the Government takes concrete measures to implement these joint recommendations for ensuring better social and economic life in Kyrgyzstan."

The recommendations cover most areas of economic life, including the investment climate, agriculture, tax codes, mining, tourism, access to information, and education. The agreed priorities will be presented to the Government for further discussion in public meetings.

Mr. Jurlan Joldoshev, Director of the Congress of Business Associations, underlined the importance of the roundtable, saying that: "Today's meeting is a key platform for unifying the efforts of NGOs and business associations in lobbying the interests of entrepreneurs and NGOs through concrete recommendations to the Government".