SEOUL: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is poised to launch two new initiatives in collaboration with Kyrgyzstan, focusing on agricultural value chains and digital public administration enhancements.
According to Trend News Agency, one of the projects is designed to establish a post-harvest management system to bolster the value chain of agricultural products. This initiative aligns with the Korean government’s ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and regional development in Kyrgyzstan, where it has been a significant development partner.
The second project aims to improve public administration in Kyrgyzstan by building capacity in national information technology and supporting digital transformation. KOICA has been a consistent supporter of Kyrgyzstan’s digitalization efforts, with both countries actively engaging in high-level discussions to evaluate project outcomes and strengthen bilateral trust.
KOICA also plans to explore additional projects focusing on green enviro
nments and energy to meet Kyrgyzstan’s development needs. These new initiatives are part of KOICA’s strategy to assist Kyrgyzstan in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are aligned with the country’s development strategy and the key cooperation areas outlined in the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2021-2025.
Notable ongoing bilateral projects include the development of a National Centralized AMI System to improve Kyrgyzstan’s energy system, scheduled for completion in 2026, and the Electric Vehicle Transition Project to promote green mobility, which is set to run from 2024 to 2027.
Korea designates priority countries for cooperation every five years to enhance the effectiveness of its Official Development Assistance (ODA) through a strategy of “selection and concentration.” Kyrgyzstan was identified as a priority partner in 2021, highlighting its significance as a key partner in Central Asia. This cooperation aims to boost sustainable development and address mutual priorities such
as economic growth, capacity building, and social development in Kyrgyzstan.