Swiss Federal Councillor and Minister of Finance, Ueli Maurer visits several countries in Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan. The visit has taken place in the context of the 25th anniversary of the joint voting group with Switzerland in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. 

On the occasion of his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met President Almazbek Atambaev and the Minister of Finance Adylbek Kasymaliev as well as the Governor of the National Bank Tolkunbek Abdygulov. In addition, he visited local companies and exchanged with local entrepreneurs and opinion leaders, including on export promotion and the “Taza Koom” (Clean society) project foreseeing the digitalisation of the society. 

The joint voting group in the IMF and the World Bank was founded in 1992. Next to Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan it today also includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan Poland, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (the latter only in the World Bank). On behalf of this voting group, Switzerland represents the constituency and its interests with one of the 24 seats in both the Board of Directors of the IMF and World Bank. 

On his visit Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer is accompanied by State Secretary Jörg Gasser of the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters in the Federal Department of Finance.

This was the result of cooperation with the project ”Voice of citizens and accountability of local self-governments” financed by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Development Policy Institute.

The project aims at more transparent and effective management of local finances by local self-governments through increased accountability and citizens’ participation in decision-making processes.

Following a decision-making process actively involving citizens and ensuring transparent management of local finances, the municipalities of Onbir-Jylga Ayil Aimak in Chui rayon and Boroldoi Ayil Aimak in Kemin rayon, acquired needed equipment (furniture for children, toys, books, and kitchen equipment) for two kindergartens. Both projects were selected by citizens and successfully passed a competitive selection process in the frame of the small grant program of the project.

The project provided 1 million soms to both municipalities which added their own resources amounted to 100’000 soms in Boroldoi and 150’000 soms in Onbir-Jylga.

15 small projects were supported within the small grant program of the “Voice of citizens and accountability of local self-governments” project in 2017 for a total of almost 15 million soms. The small projects financed at municipal levels are related to improved drinking water supply, street lighting, public transportation, recreation services and education.