Askarov: Kyrgyzstan is dynamically increasing its advantages and enhancing its competitiveness

Bishkek, Nov. 21, 2018. /Kabar/. Eurasia Week has started at the headquarters of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Paris, France, where our state is the co-chair of the Central Asia Initiative Steering Committee.

The press service of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that the delegation of Kyrgyzstan at the Eurasian Week is headed by Vice Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Zamirbek Askarov.

At the Eurasia Week, final results and recommendations with OECD member countries and Central Asian states are being discussed. As part of these meetings, there will be a session at the level of vice prime ministers and OECD Round Table on improving the competitiveness of Eurasian countries.

Within the forum, Askarov had a meeting on Tuesday with Director of the OECD Global Relations Secretariat Andreas Schaal and Head of the OECD Eurasia Division William Tompson, during which bilateral cooperation was discussed.

The results of previous programs to improve competitiveness were also discussed. In particular, recommendations were adopted in three main areas: improving access to finance for the agribusiness sector, developing human capital for the agribusiness sector through the development of industrial training, and promoting trade and investment (for the sewing industry).

In regard to current issues of transport connectivity, it was decided to provide relevant consulting support as a result of the discussion of the results of the project on “Improving Trade and Transport Connectivity in Central Asia”.

Upon the proposal of the Kyrgyz side, such areas as raising the potential of small and medium-scale businesses, government support for start-up projects, introducing innovations, and improving the quality of services for entrepreneurs were discussed.

At the suggestion of the Kyrgyz side, issues of digitalization, introduction of fiscal mechanisms for tax procedures (labeling of goods, a system of traceability of goods, introduction of electronic invoices and avirtual warehouse of taxpayers) were introduced in the agenda for more detailed discussion with the relevant OECD department.

In addition, interesting proposals were made to reduce the volume of the informal economy, effective anti-corruption policies, implement the principles of green economy, commercialize agriculture and increase the added value of agricultural output and other issues.