Kyrgyzstan, ADB Explore New Avenues for Growth in Tourism, Energy, and Youth Development

The Kyrgyz Finance Ministry has held high-level talks this week with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Executive Director Mr. Parjiono, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation across key sectors including entrepreneurship, tourism, energy, and youth development.

The meeting, held in Bishkek, was led by Finance Minister Almaz Baketaev, who underscored the Kyrgyz government’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He noted that SMEs are crucial to driving sustainable economic growth and increasing national budget revenues, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Baketaev also spotlighted tourism development as a national priority, citing Kyrgyzstan’s unique natural landscapes and cultural heritage, which remain underexplored internationally. He emphasized the potential for the tourism sector to become a major economic driver, particularly when aligned with environmental sustainability initiatives.

Parjiono expressed strong support for Kyrgyzstan’s development vision, noting that the country holds significant potential for impact-driven investment. He highlighted the bank’s strategic interest in energy and tourism projects, as well as programs supporting youth empowerment.

“Even relatively small investments can yield meaningful results when deployed effectively,” Parjiono said, stressing that the ADB prioritizes efficiency and measurable outcomes over the size of individual investments.

Both sides concluded the meeting by reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening cooperation and pursuing innovative joint initiatives in support of Kyrgyzstan’s national development goals.