The President of Kyrgyzstan met with the head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Akihiko Tanaka.
The parties exchanged views on the current cooperation and prospects for its further expansion.
According to Sadyr Japarov, Japan is a close friend and long-term partner of Kyrgyzstan on the path of democratic development. Over the 30 years since establishment of diplomatic relations, rich experience in political, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation has been accumulated. Kyrgyzstan highly appreciates the activities of the agency, which makes a great contribution to the sustainable economic development of the country.
Speaking about joint projects with JICA, Sadyr Japarov focused on such areas of cooperation as the transport network, introduction of new technologies, including green and renewable energy sources, agriculture, efficient use of water resources, modernization of infrastructure and hydropower.
The President noted the successful joint project One Village — One Product in Issyk-Kul region, launched by JICA 12 years ago. The project has been given the status of a national one in order to expand its implementation throughout the country to promote a sustainable small business model, increase the production of profitable products, improve their quality and create a sustainable ecosystem.
Sadyr Japarov also mentioned the current grant program of the Japanese government for training the country’s civil servants in Japanese higher education institutions (JDS). Many of its graduates are now successfully working in state and municipal bodies of Kyrgyzstan. Given the long-term cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and JICA, he proposed to upgrade the status of the JICA office in Bishkek to the level of a regional representative office.
Akihiko Tanaka also praised the successful One Village, One Product project. He added that within the framework of the project, which demonstrates positive results in the form of creation of new jobs and profit from the export of manufactured products, there is great potential for further cooperation.
