OSCE Centre supports development of business training for rural youth

BISHKEK, 4 July 2008 - Top students from Bishkek based-universities completed today a week-long entrepreneurship training course, organized by the OSCE Centre in partnership with the Bishkek Business Club. The students will travel to Kyrgyzstan's regions to teach basic business skills to rural youth.

"Through this project urban youth can work with their rural counterparts to develop well-thought out business plans. Such plans can help boost the rural economy while improving the urban students' understanding of the realities of doing business in the regions," said Kimberley Bulkley, Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

"Moreover, the initiative will not only equip rural youth with basic business skills, but will help encourage the development of young entrepreneurs and create a platform for young leaders."

The 11 Bishkek students will teach week-long business courses in five locations. Development of rural youth entrepreneurship is an efficient investment in the future of Kyrgyzstan, where 65% of the population lives in rural areas.

The uniqueness of the project is in its multiple objectives, young dynamics and ambitious perspectives, said Uluk Kydyrbaev, Executive Director of Bishkek Business Club.

"We feel there is the capacity to expand this initiative on a regional level, with participants from all five Central Asian states, and Afghanistan," he added.