Kabar
The situation around Batken Oblast has remained difficult for many years. Border conflicts are a cause for concern, but the issues of the border and the region itself need to be resolved. At the moment there is talk about promising projects, creating an economic zone and attracting investors to the oblast, but for this a lot of issues need to be solved. During a retreat of the Cabinet of Ministers in Batken Oblast, Cabinet Chairman Akylbek Zhaparov said that Batken is a region that embodies the independence and territorial integrity of Kyrgyzstan. According to him, Batken Oblast is not a center of border conflicts, but a place that fosters patriotism, courage and bravery in a person.
“Batken is a place of our political, military and economic sovereignty. It is a region that embodies the independence and territorial integrity of the Kyrgyz Republic,” he said.
Zhaparov noted that he came to Batken Oblast on purpose beforehand. “We got acquainted with the work of a number of industrial enterprises, at the end of the day we visited two military units, inspected uniforms and military equipment. In fact, 2021 was a year of challenges for the Kyrgyz army. Despite all the twists and turns, it was a year of dramatic change. Since May 2021 the salaries of border guards and servicemen of the Ministry of Defense were increased by 50-70%. In January of this year, salaries of the servicemen of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Guard and Convoy Department of the Punishments Execution Service were increased by 50-70%. As a result, we managed to equalize salaries of all law enforcement and security agencies. Modern military equipment and uniforms were purchased using budgetary funds. It was also decided that one month of service in Batken should be counted as two,” the head of the Cabinet concluded.
During the retreat of the Cabinet of Ministers, issues of further development of the region were touched upon, special attention was paid to the improvement of infrastructure, roads, social welfare and state support of citizens, especially from border villages. Another topic for discussion was the creation of conditions for the inflow of investments.
The chairman of the Cabinet noted that Batken Oblast is a strategic region.
“The main advantage of Batken is its transit potential. In the future Batken transport corridors will serve not only Batken Oblast, but also the whole country and will become development corridors for the whole republic,” the head of the Cabinet noted, adding that Batken Oblast has all the potential to become a transit corridor between the Fergana Valley and the People’s Republic of China.
“As soon as we create the conditions and engage phytosanitary laboratories, we will be able to export quality and environmentally friendly products to neighboring China through the Irkeshtam checkpoint. Kyzyl-Kiya will become the largest regional trade hub between Central Asia and China. Airports of Batken and Isfana will receive international status, and Leylek free economic zone will work as planned earlier,” Akylbek Zhaparov.
Besides, the chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet stressed that the completion of delimitation and demarcation of the state border is the main priority of the Cabinet of Ministers.
“The border infrastructure will be improved, new outposts will be built. Plans for the development of Batken Oblast are grandiose and we will make every effort to implement them,” concluded Zhaparov.
Besides, during the meeting, Zhaparov emphasized the need to increase the level of exports from Batken Oblast. He is confident that new enterprises in the region will create new jobs.
“The export potential will increase along with this. And increasing exports is a direct way to develop the region,” Zhaparov said.
He added that there are good opportunities for importing cotton fabrics from Uzbekistan and developing Batken garment business. After which the head of the Cabinet of Ministers noted the need to develop local businesses, so that the people of the region could work here without having to leave the country to earn money.
“Last year we held an economic investment forum. In 2022 we will invite investors from all over the world and hold another forum. This year we will invest KGS 1.5 billion on infrastructure development (irrigation canals, social facilities and roads) of Batken Oblast under capital investments. At the same time, we plan to increase this amount to KGS 5 billion for the development of the region within the adopted decisions. We need to build canals, have water for drinking and irrigation, and to solve social issues,” said the head of the Cabinet and stressed the need for targeted and effective use of allocated funds, noted the importance of public and parliamentary control.
In addition, the Osh – Batken – Isfana road is being rehabilitated. The cost of the road rehabilitation project is $133, 58 million, of which $50 million are intended for the construction of the road from 28 to 75 kilometers. This road is an important facility for the socio-economic development of Batken Oblast.
The second component of the project implementation, for which the rest of the loan will be directed, is the prevention of natural disasters on the Bishkek-Osh highway (construction of a protective structure against rockfalls, construction of support walls against landslides, construction of tunnels and bridges).
“At present, the tender documentation is being prepared. The project will be implemented in accordance with international standards,” Zhaparov noted.
The chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers noted that the tender should be announced as soon as possible, and during the implementation of the project domestic companies should also be involved.
“Our local companies should gain experience, learn modern technologies and their application in order to compete with foreign companies in the future,” Akylbek Zhaparov said.