AKIPRESS.COM - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will launch the new USAID Business Growth Initiative (BGI) and close out its economic policy reform project, REFORMA, the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek said.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asia Daniel N. Rosenblum, Vice Prime Minister Valery Dil and U.S. Ambassador Pamela Spratlen will take part at the event together with Government counterparts, business associations and other Kyrgyz stakeholders on October 14.

REFORMA’s objectives were to improve the livelihoods of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic by strengthening the macro- and micro-economic environment to support business and economic growth. At the closeout event, REFORMA’s local implementing partners will present the project’s major accomplishments, achieved in partnership with public sector agencies, private sector organizations, and research institutions.

The new four-year BGI Project will build and strengthen the competitiveness of Kyrgyz firms and industry sectors to promote business growth, job creation and economic development. The project will work in the textile/apparel, tourism, and construction materials value chains to improve their productivity, branding and product offerings, input sourcing, access to markets, quality control, financial management, and other critical components of internationally competitive businesses. The project will also build workforce and managerial skills and expand upon the business enabling environment reforms initiated by the REFORMA project.