BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 2. One of the highly successful recent programs of the UK in Kyrgyzstan was the "PEAK" Enterprise and Innovation Program, which was implemented from 2019 through April 2023, Ann Herrigan, chargé d'affaires a.i. at the British Embassy in Bishkek told Trend.
“The Programme promoted a stronger, diversified and more inclusive private sector in Kyrgyzstan with the aim of stimulating the development of start-ups and MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and thereby drive job creation,” Herrigan said.
She noted that from 2019 through 2023, UK spent 8.3 million euro supporting small business in both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan among the programs of which Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) was one of the recent initiatives introduced by the UK. This program allows a significant number of Kyrgyz citizens to work in the UK on a seasonal basis.
In 2022, over 1,500 Kyrgyz citizens participated in this scheme, and it is projected that the number will surpass 8,000 in the current year.
“It is an important element in the bilateral relationship, and we know the Kyrgyz authorities are keen to increase the number of Kyrgyz workers coming to the UK under the scheme. We want this to be a positive experience for everyone involved,” the chargé d'affaires added.
The UK and Kyrgyzstan have developed bilateral relations since 1992. In 1997, Kyrgyzstan established its Embassy in London, while the UK established an office of the Department for International Development (DFID) in Bishkek in the following year.
The operational establishment of the British Embassy in Bishkek occurred in December 2011, with the first Ambassador assuming their position in March 2012.