Asel AKMATALIEVA, Public Relations Specialist, Development Policy Institute
Nurgul DZHAMANKULOVA, Communications Consultant, Development Policy Institute
At-Bashy-2023 Investment Forum was held under the slogan “Today’s Efforts – Tomorrow’s Future” (“Bugunku araket – ertenki kelechek”).
The large-scale event was initiated by Emil ABDYKADYROV, Akim of At-Bashy district, Naryn oblast, with the support of the Good Governance for Economic Development Programme funded by the UK Government and implemented by ACTED together with the Development Policy Institute. The Coordination Council of At-Bashy district was actively involved in the organization of the forum, which included representatives of state executive bodies, local self-government bodies, commercial and non-profit organizations, international organizations and other participants.
The event took place at the recreation center of the Kenforel fish farm, near Ak-Talaa village, where seven richly decorated new yurts were set up on a wooden podium, and 200 chairs were placed in the middle for the participants of the event. Each yurt had its own thematic focus – a type or group of products produced in At-Bashy district. The yurts created an interesting and functional space to present the different clusters and their products. Teams of local entrepreneurs representing this area of production presented their products, made a presentation on the prospects of their goods and made specific investment proposals in the context of promising clusters of economic development of the district:
- dairy products;
- meat products;
- tourism products;
- fish products;
- medicinal herbs;
- berries (sea buckthorn, currants, etc.)
- honey and honey products.
The investment forum was opened by local producers and craftswomen who exhibited their products to the attention of the guests, along with which an ethno-coffee break of organic products of At-Bashy district was organized for tasting.
According to district akim Emil ABDYKADYROV, the forum was focused on the development of interaction and cooperation of small and medium-sized businesses with large businesses, international organizations and financial institutions. When planning the forum, the district administration set several goals and objectives:
· develop proposals for cooperation development: the forum facilitated the exchange of ideas and experience between different levels of business, became a platform for creating specific proposals and strategies for joint development;
· develop business support infrastructure: the forum identified problems and barriers faced by entrepreneurs and proposed measures to improve infrastructure and conditions for investment and innovation;
· attract investments: the forum presented investors with investment opportunities and favorable conditions for cooperation;
· develop clusters: the forum promoted the development of seven clusters in the region, ensuring cooperation between enterprises within the clusters and stimulating innovative research;
· present the opportunities of the organic brand: the forum helped to strengthen the image of the region as a favorable place for business and investment;
· develop tourism: the forum stimulated the improvement of infrastructure and services for tourists through the decision to create a tourist destination.
“The goal of the investment forum was to stimulate economic growth, develop the business environment and attract investment to At-Bashy district. And this goal echoed the objectives of the Effective Governance for Economic Development (EGED) Programme implemented by ACTED together with the Development Policy Institute, which assisted in organizing and conducting the forum,” said Altynai BUZURMANKULOVA, Project Manager from DPI.
The forum also demonstrated the economic potential of the region. An exhibition of products from local producers and craftswomen was held, which promoted local goods and supported medium and small businesses. Participants evaluated local food products by tasting dishes of the ethno-coffee break representing organic products of At-Bashy district, which added authenticity to the event and allowed forum participants to assess the region’s potential in agriculture and food sector. Presentations of clusters and investment proposals from entrepreneurs introduced products and talked about the prospects for cluster development, including specific investment proposals to attract the attention of potential investors.
Following the results of the “At-Bashy-2023” investment forum 20 memorandums of cooperation have been signed for a total amount of 3 billion 538 million KGS, which will create 200 new jobs. The memorandums give a start to the implementation of projects in the field of mining gold and other non-ferrous metals in the “Kara-Tor” deposit; mining of jasper and facing stones; tourism; construction of sports and health centers; beekeeping; construction and launch of a sewing shop, hotel, logistics center for honey; construction of a milk processing plant; cultivation of sea buckthorn and currants; construction of a sheep wool processing shop; fish farming; export of medicinal herbs and white honey of At-Bashy district. In addition to business projects, preliminary agreements were also reached on the implementation of important social projects, including the construction of a social town for 400 vulnerable families with all the necessary social infrastructure; targeted assistance to vulnerable people.
The Coordination Council is chaired by the district akim, while the deputy chairpersons may be representatives of civil society and business, which allows for broad involvement of different parties in the process of district development and investment attraction.
