After C-19, diversification of export markets and maintaining current export capacity is important, says recent UNDP study

May 27, 2021

Screenshot from the study's presentation.

Bishkek, 27 May 2021 – Yesterday, UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic has presented the Export Market Re-orientation Strategy to representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Water Management and Regional Development, Ministry of Energy and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, Embassy of Japan in the Kyrgyz Republic, donors, international organizations, and private exporters’ community.

The Strategy analysis is conducted by the UNDP project “Multi-sectoral Response to COVID-19” with the financial support from the Government of Japan, for the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic considering the impact of COVID-19 on exporters’ community.

The purpose of the strategy is to offer guidance on interventions in foreign trade and the revision of the Export Development Plan of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to 2023. The study proposes to work with exporters to diversify export markets and maintain the current number of exporters.

In this regard, Eldiiar Seitkaziev, UNDP Project Coordinator, added the following:

“The COVID-19 severely affected economies of many countries across the globe, including that of Kyrgyzstan. Along with the dramatic socio-economic impact, the pandemic drastically changed the country’s export landscape. This research is sought to reveal what conditions and opportunities are there now to enter the foreign markets and, also, to recommend the Government potential course corrections in the realm of foreign trade at the public-policy level”.

In addition to the findings and recommendations of the study, UNDP has developed an Action Plan to be integrated within the Export Development Plan of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Action Plan oversees diversification of export to the EU, East and Southeast Asia, Persian Gulf, and CIS countries.

About the study

The study used methods of actual data: quantitative and qualitative and SWAT analysis. In total, the representatives of 45 companies participated in the interviews, among which 3 companies are non-exporters (led by women), and the remaining 42 companies are exporters. Out of the 42 suppliers, 21 are represented by women.

The conclusions and recommendations set out in this draft Strategy are based on the analysis of the foreign markets and trends in international markets, voiced requests and needs by exporters community.

Media contacts:

Chyntemir Kalbaev

UNDP Communications Assistant

chyntemir.kalbaev@gmail.com

+996775767605

Screenshots from online presentation