Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan: 30 years of successful cooperation
In 2024, Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan mark 30 years of cooperation. Switzerland has made a successful contribution to sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan over the past three decades.
Switzerland has a large development programme in Kyrgyzstan (around USD 21 million per year) and is active in the fields of employment and economic development, water and infrastructure, energy, local governance, climate change and disaster risk reduction, health and culture.
Jointly with the Kyrgyz government and implementing partners, Switzerland has been able to successfully reinforce national development efforts in Kyrgyzstan. Over the 30 years, jointly they have achieved many successes. Here are some of them.
Over 4,000 new jobs created
In terms of economic development, Switzerland provides support to improve the business climate. Over 4,200 new jobs have been created in agricultural and light industrial sectors. More than 3,500 small or medium-sized enterprises have improved their productivity and viability. Around 1,700 companies have gained access to international markets, particularly in the fruit, vegetables, textiles and tourism sectors.
Digital banking has been made available to entrepreneurs and private customers in remote areas. Hundreds of farmers now deliver milk to the successful Swiss–Kyrgyz cheese-making company ‹Suit Bulak› (Dairy Spring).
Support for the National Bank
Since 1991, Switzerland has supported the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic in issuing the local currency – the Kyrgyzstani som. The technical specifications of som banknotes were based on the recommendations of the Swiss National Bank. In addition, a strategy for monetary circulation of the som was introduced. Today, the Swiss National Bank continues to support the Kyrgyz National Bank on communication, organisational structure, management of international reserves, security and many more issues.
Since independence, the Swiss National Bank has contributed to macroeconomic and monetary stability through a strong and independent central bank. The former chair of the governing board of the Swiss National Bank, Thomas Jordan, hailed the Kyrgyz som as a success story during his visit to Bishkek in 2023.
Improved water management
In the area of water, a basin approach was applied to five river basins, including improvement of water monitoring procedures. Water management, accountability and governance were improved by assisting more than 450 water user associations all over the country. 250,000 farmers benefited from irrigation and drainage services over more than 750,000 ha, an area roughly the size of the canton of Graubünden. The resilience of around 300,000 rural community members was increased through disaster risk reduction infrastructure solutions, cash-based support, training and new agro-insurance schemes.
The modernised At Bashy hydropower plant has a lifespan of around 50 years and contributes to the security of supply in the Naryn region and nationally. Energy sector reform includes tariff reform for financial sustainability. Nearly 1.5 million people in urban areas have better access to safe drinking water and wastewater services.
Better access to public services
In the area of governance, over half a million people in the country have access to better municipal services and participate in public budget planning: inter-municipal cooperation in 13% of rural municipalities:
- access to drinking water
- waste collection and disposal
- road maintenance and street lighting
- recreation services for children and young people
- pre-school education
Women's participation in local decision-making has increased by up to 43%. More than 600 NGOs and cultural events provided services and inclusive participation in all areas of the country. The health system has been strengthened through a budget dedicated to primary healthcare at a national level; modernised medical and nursing education; proper waste management and early detection and control of non-communicable diseases. More doctors are working in rural areas, re-training courses for hospital managers are ongoing, 1,600 village health committees promote health literacy and healthier behaviour in rural areas.
What is next?
The Swiss foreign minister, Ignazio Cassis, confirmed during his visit to Kyrgyzstan that Kyrgyzstan will remain a priority country for Switzerland. This means that Switzerland will continue to supportthe efforts of the Kyrgyz government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to improve the well-being of the population in Kyrgyzstan.
The road of cooperation
Thirty years ago to this day – on 14 November 1994 – an official cooperation agreement was signed between the Swiss and Kyrgyz governments. Since then, Switzerland has been providing assistance for the development of Kyrgyzstan through the realisation of development projects in various areas.
Over the 30 years, Switzerland has granted more than CHF 520 million to Kyrgyzstan through technical, financial and humanitarian support, and continues to provide support today.
Indeed, Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland have good relations and support each other in all sorts of ways. On the World Bank and IMF boards, Switzerland represents Kyrgyzstan and a number of other countries from Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland share the same group, which gives them more of a voice. In the context of the United Nations, Switzerland is part of the Global Mountain Partnership and an active member of the New York-based Group of Friends of Mountainous Countries chaired by the Kyrgyz Republic.
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