The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, held a significant meeting with the head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka, in the capital city of Bishkek on September 6. This meeting underscored the deepening partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Japan, with a focus on enhancing collaboration in various fields.
During their discussions, President Japarov expressed his gratitude for Japan's unwavering support and considered Japan as a close friend and long-term partner in Kyrgyzstan's journey towards democratic development. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been established for over three decades, and this meeting reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening this relationship.
Kyrgyzstan has highly appreciated JICA's contributions to the country's sustainable economic development. President Japarov lauded the agency's pivotal role in fostering political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation. The meeting highlighted several key areas of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and JICA, including:
- Transport Network: The two leaders discussed plans to improve the country's transportation infrastructure, enhancing connectivity within Kyrgyzstan and with neighboring countries.
- Green and Renewable Energy: Recognizing the global shift towards sustainability, discussions encompassed the introduction of new technologies for green and renewable energy sources to reduce the nation's carbon footprint.
- Agriculture: The leaders emphasized the importance of modernizing the agricultural sector, increasing productivity, and ensuring food security.
- Efficient Water Resource Management: Managing water resources efficiently, especially in the context of climate change, was a significant topic of conversation.
- Infrastructure Modernization: The leaders explored ways to modernize Kyrgyzstan's infrastructure, including the development of hydropower projects.
One of the successful joint initiatives highlighted during the meeting was the "One Village — One Product" project, launched by JICA in the Issyk-Kul region 12 years ago. This project has now gained national status, indicating its importance in promoting sustainable small businesses, improving product quality, and creating a robust ecosystem for economic growth.
Additionally, President Japarov praised the ongoing grant program of the Japanese government, the Japanese Development Scholarship (JDS), which has enabled Kyrgyz civil servants to receive higher education in Japanese institutions. Many of the program's graduates are now contributing significantly to Kyrgyzstan's public and municipal bodies. Given the long and fruitful partnership between Kyrgyzstan and JICA, President Japarov proposed elevating the status of the JICA office in Bishkek to that of a regional representative office, further solidifying their collaboration.
Akihiko Tanaka, head of JICA, echoed President Japarov's sentiments and commended the achievements of the "One Village — One Product" project. He emphasized the project's success in generating employment and boosting profits from the export of locally manufactured products. Both leaders agreed that there is immense potential for continued cooperation within this framework.
The meeting between President Japarov and Akihiko Tanaka showcased the strong and enduring partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Japan, aiming for a brighter and more prosperous future through collaborative efforts in various sectors.
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