Head of Kyrgyz Cabinet receives deputy minister of finance of Japan

Bishkek, Sept. 29, 2023. /Kabar/. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Zhaparov met with Deputy Minister of Finance of Japan Masato Kanda, the press service of the Cabinet reported.

During the meeting the sides discussed issues of Kyrgyz-Japanese interaction and noted the high potential for further expansion of cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

The head of the Cabinet of Ministers noted that all necessary measures are currently being taken to accelerate the socio-economic development of the country; the task has also been set to develop a high-tech, competitive export industry, ensuring the transition of the state’s economy from the export-raw materials type of development to the industrial-innovative one.

Taking into account the fact that Japan is a leader in such areas as automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction and metallurgy, energy, robotics and food industry, Akylbek Zhaparov expressed interest in cooperation in these areas.

In addition, he proposed considering measures to improve the training of personnel from Kyrgyzstan, including language training and training in professional skills that meet the needs of the Japanese labor market.

At the same time, the Chairman of the Cabinet noted the success of the One Village – One Product (OVOP) project, which was launched 12 years ago by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Kyrgyz Republic and showed the best results, adding that in 2023 the project received the status of National project.

In turn, Japanese Deputy Minister of Finance Masato Kanda expressed his readiness to support all projects of mutual interest, including those announced during the meeting.

In addition, he informed the head of the Cabinet that a group of specialists would soon be sent to Kyrgyzstan to study the country’s financial policy and, based on the results of its work, make proposals on a number of economic and financial issues, including managing public debt and improving budget expenditures and taxation.

Masato Kanda also added that the Japanese side is ready to provide support to Kyrgyzstan through international financial institutions (Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) in terms of attracting and disbursing grants and concessional loans.