The National Partnership Dialogue on Trade and Entrepreneurship, “Results, Challenges and Prospects,” brought together representatives of government institutions, diplomatic missions, international organizations, trade support institutions, business associations, entrepreneurs and project participants. Discussions focused on the results achieved and solutions that should be further developed beyond 2026. 

The project’s results were showcased through presentations, the “Project in Faces” photo exhibition, masterclasses, exhibitions and fairs, and product tastings, highlighting tangible changes through the stories of the beneficiaries themselves. Entrepreneurs, producers, and representatives of the tourism and handicraft sectors shared how the knowledge, advisory support and access to markets they gained helped them grow their businesses and reach new customers. 

The project supported the implementation of the Kyrgyz Republic’s national development priorities through 2030, including policies aimed at economic diversification, expanding export potential, supporting entrepreneurship and transitioning to a green economy. These priorities were translated into key sectoral policy documents whose development was supported by the project. 

These include the National Export Development Programme 2025–2028 “Made in Kyrgyzstan,” the Tourism Development Programme 2025–2030 and its implementation plan, the Green Economy Development Programme 2024–2028, as well as the draft Entrepreneurial Code. 

“The value of a development project is determined by what remains after it ends. Over the past four years, functional elements of a national export support system have been established in the country, including a specialized export promotion institution, domestic capacity for certification against international standards, national sustainable tourism criteria, and export insurance instruments. These priorities are embedded in the National Export Development Programme and other policy documents. The Government’s task now is not simply to preserve what has been achieved, but to scale up the solutions that are already working,” said Benazir Nurlanova, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

The project provided support to 4,823 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including 3,162 women-owned enterprises, as well as 195 beneficiaries across four green value chains: adventure tourism, beekeeping, dried fruits, berries and nuts, and handicrafts. 

The project contributed to the creation of 837 new jobs, including 548 jobs for women, while the value of export contracts supported by the project reached US$17.1 million. 

Among tourism enterprises, online sales increased from KGS 11.3 million to KGS 92.9 million, while the number of international tourists served nearly tripled. Among supported honey producers, production volumes increased by 59 percent, with products entering four new markets. Exports among beneficiaries in the dried fruits, berries and nuts sector grew by 36.6 percent, while the incomes of supported handicraft enterprises increased by 35 percent. 

Behind these figures are deeper changes in the way businesses operate. Entrepreneurs have become more active in using digital platforms, improving the quality of their products and services, strengthening customer service and viewing exports as a pathway to long-term growth. In tourism and handicrafts, stronger links have emerged between enterprises, while individual services and products are increasingly being combined into more comprehensive offerings. 

“Behind every economic indicator are tangible opportunities for people and businesses: to start or expand a business, create jobs, find new customers and enter new markets. Our task is to help turn these opportunities into sustainable solutions that continue to deliver results even after the project has ended,” said Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic. 

The sustainability of the project’s results was strengthened by transferring practical tools, services, standards and knowledge to national institutions. Importantly, many of these mechanisms are already operational as the project comes to an end. 

KyrgyzExport is developing the national export portal, preparing market reviews and conducting the “Export Caravan” across the regions. Trade support institutions have expanded their range of services for businesses and improved public services. 

The country’s quality infrastructure has also been significantly strengthened. Kyrgyzstandard obtained accreditation for certification under ISO 22000, electronic certification tools were introduced, and materials on GLOBALG.A.P. were developed. National sustainable tourism criteria are already being applied and are gradually expanding to new regions. 

New instruments and approaches were developed for the export insurance system. Civil servants and staff of trade support institutions received training and continue to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the project in their work. 

The results are also evident at the business level. Enterprises continue to export, operate in accordance with international standards, and develop e-commerce, mentoring and interregional cooperation. 

The long-term partnership between UNDP and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of the Government of Finland, has helped transform individual project solutions into functioning national mechanisms. This provides a foundation for the project’s results to be sustained and further developed. 

The project also strengthened cooperation with other international and national partners. Sustainable tourism criteria were introduced jointly with GIZ and KATO, entrepreneurship training was conducted in partnership with TIKA and KOSGEB, and e-commerce trainers were trained with the participation of the OSCE. These partnerships continue beyond the project’s completion, helping to expand the reach of its results and continue engagement with a broader range of entrepreneurs and organizations. 

Today, new opportunities are emerging for trade and entrepreneurship to drive growth, diversify markets and expand Kyrgyzstan’s export potential. Key priorities for the next stage include expanding businesses’ access to export financing, international standards and certification, developing reliable logistics and new trade routes, and facilitating access to new markets. 

These issues were at the heart of the strategic session on future trade priorities. Participants discussed MSMEs’ access to international markets, export financing, digital and cross-border trade, quality infrastructure, certification, sustainable tourism and the development of business support institutions. 

The discussion also addressed what is needed to put these priorities into practice: effective regulatory solutions, financing, strong institutions, new partnerships, stronger business competencies and investment in infrastructure. 

UNDP will continue its cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic, supporting the scaling up of mechanisms that are already delivering results and helping transform successful project solutions into sustainable national instruments for the development of trade, entrepreneurship and regional economies. 

Background Information 

The “Aid for Trade in Central Asia, Phase V” project was funded by the Government of Finland and implemented by UNDP in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It continued the long-standing cooperation under the Aid for Trade in Central Asia initiative.