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Getting ‘connected’ in Kyrgyzstan
EBRD launches telecommunications support project
Geographical conditions with mountains reaching more than 7,000 metres, the
country’s poverty and an incomplete legal and regulatory framework are key
obstacles to expanding telecom operations in Kyrgyzstan. To support the
country’s efforts to increase access to telecom and information communication
technology (ICT) the EBRD and Canada are providing €200,000 for a programme of
technical and legal assistance. The aim is to develop and implement an
effective legal and regulatory framework for access to the telecom services in
rural and remote areas of Kyrgyzstan.
The funds will help Kyrgyzstan’s State Communications Agency and Ministry of
Transport and Communications to assess the demand for telecom and ICT services
in rural and remote areas; determine a sustainable level of services;
calculate the costs and develop a strategy to finance and deliver services.
One focus will be to maximise private-sector involvement and develop
incentives to attract such private sector provision in areas where the high
initial cost of providing services would ordinarily discourage them. This
latest assistance programme will build upon earlier successful EBRD technical
and legal cooperation projects in Kyrgyzstan’s telecom sector.
The Kyrgyz government is strongly supporting the initiative. As Acting Deputy
Prime Minister Daniar Usenov pointed out, access to information and knowledge
can greatly stimulate economic growth by creating new products, increasing
productivity and promoting new commercial and administrative methods.
Funding is provided by the Canadian government through the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), an important donor to the EBRD Legal
Transition Programme. Scott Clark, EBRD Board Director for Canada, noted the
key role of telecom and ICT services in economic development but also in
fostering social development especially in rural and remote areas, as Canada
knows from its own experience. Mr. Clark added that Canada is pleased to share
its experience and expertise in this area with the Kyrgyz government.
Emmanuel Maurice, EBRD General Counsel, said the assistance programme
represents the Bank’s commitment to the development and implementation of
sustainable solutions based upon commercial principles and fully reflecting
international standard legal and regulatory practices. The programme is
administered by the EBRD’s Office of the General Counsel as part of the Bank’s
Legal Transition Programme and will be implemented by a team of international
and local consultants over the coming months.
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