AKIPRESS.COM - The Government of Kyrgyzstan through the Ministry of Finance and the Government of Switzerland through the Embassy of Switzerland have signed today, on 23 July, 2015 a grant agreement on Water Supply Project in Naryn.

The Government of Switzerland and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will increase their contributions to improve water and wastewater services in Kyrgyzstan, thus improving people’s quality of life.

The EBRD is providing a capital investment loan of up to €2 million and technical assistance of up to €0.6 million, while the Government of Switzerland is providing a grant of €3.6 million for the project.

The drinking water network in Naryn is outdated and the wastewater network needs to be expanded. The objective of the project is to rehabilitate the most crucial components of water supply and waste water systems. The new investment will address huge water losses and the urgent need to modernize water and wastewater infrastructure in the city. Technical experts will help the municipal water company in Naryn in improving its financial and operational management.

“Switzerland is thrilled to foster its support to water supply and sanitation in the Kyrgyz Republic. Good water quality and sanitation is critical for health and economic development”, says the Ambassador of Switzerland to Kyrgyzstan, René Holenstein. “The signature of the bilateral agreement for the Naryn Water Project underlines the strong relationship that Switzerland and the Kyrgyz Republic have built up over the past years. It also highlights EBRD and Switzerland’s willingness to make a difference in the country”.