Bishkek, Dec. 19, 2025. /Kabar/. “I am very pleased to see such strong results achieved by the Emergency Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Project in Kyrgyzstan,” said Hugh Riddell, World Bank Country Manager.
According to him, more than 20,000 entrepreneurs received interest-free loans through the project, which was particularly helpful during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed many families to maintain a stable income, and some family members were able to retain their jobs.
“Based on the results of this project, we have prepared a new project, which will be launched in January 2026. It will cover a wider range of industries and will be larger. World Bank will allocate $120 million, and other partners will join the project,” said Hugh Riddell.
He also noted that Kyrgyzstan’s GDP has shown rapid growth over the past three years. "The growth is impressive, but for us at the World Bank, the question of its sustainability and inclusiveness is crucial. How can we ensure long-term economic growth? The answer lies in developing small and medium-sized businesses," the World Bank Country Director emphasized.