In the Economy
* In recent years, the government has provided preferential loans to support agriculture, reaching its highest levels in 2014. As of December 25, the total amount of preferential loans issued at 10% interest since the beginning of the year amounted to 5 billion 300 million soms. This includes loans to farmers – 404.7 million soms, livestock – 4 billion 117 million 200 thousand soms, and to the processing industry, seed-growing farms, and other entities – 778.1 million soms.
* A new substation has been established in the new development "Ak-Ordo".
* In August, the Investment Promotion Agency was opened under the Ministry of Economy, and leadership was appointed.
* In December, for the first time in Kyrgyzstan, a new generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft landed from Turkey. The aircraft will operate international flights.
* According to the World Bank, in 2014 Kyrgyzstan was removed from the list of poor countries, and its status was upgraded.
* In June, an agreement was reached for Turkey to provide $15 million in assistance for the reconstruction of the State Historical Museum in Bishkek.
* In May, the "Renjhit" canal was opened in the Aksy district with the participation of the head of state.
* From January to November 2014, inflation was 108.9%, and currently, its average annual value is 107.3%.
In Education
* In the outgoing year, a new standard for state secondary education was adopted.
* The coverage of children in preschool education increased to 17.4%, with over 95 thousand children aged 5 to 7 undergoing preschool preparation in specially equipped classrooms.
* Approximately 100 innovative schools began operating.
* In the 2013/2014 academic year, 91,623 people received secondary vocational education, indicating a growing interest in such professions and instilling confidence in the emergence of qualified mid-level personnel.
* In higher education, the nationwide testing (ORT) continued, with 51,931 graduates participating this year.
* For the first time in Kyrgyzstan, 17 universities organized electronic counting of coupons based on the results of the ORT, which helped avoid some corrupt schemes in the admission of applicants to universities.
In Social Protection
* Currently, the government pays benefits to children from more than 115 thousand low-income families. * The amount of guaranteed minimum income in 2011 was 370 soms, which was increased to 640 soms on November 1, 2013. In other words, benefits have doubled.
Across the Republic, compared to 2012, the amount of benefits paid to low-income families increased by 51%. Not stopping there, this year the lowest guaranteed income has been raised to 750 soms. In 2014, a total of 6 billion 475 million soms was spent from the republican budget on state social payments.
* This year, salaries for social workers were increased from 3,000 to 7,500 soms.
* Currently, the institution implementing state social orders is solely the Ministry of Social Development. If in 2009 the budget allocated for this work was more than 4.3 million soms, in 2014 it approached 15 million soms. This indicates a threefold increase in funding over 5 years.
In Healthcare
* The Ministry of Health has worked on optimizing structures. The quality of medical assistance has been improved, and the departments for licensing medical and pharmaceutical services have been updated with new personnel, who will be responsible for developing the state drug policy for 2014-2020.
* To ensure access to primary healthcare for all citizens, regardless of registration, and to provide opportunities especially for vulnerable populations, the Ministry of Health and the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund signed a joint order, which is being implemented: "On the approval of the rules for registering the population of the Kyrgyz Republic with family doctor groups".
* The Ministry has developed proposals for 7 projects to promote public-private partnerships: creating an angiographic research center, establishing computed tomography in healthcare institutions, developing the market for voluntary health insurance services, providing specialized medical services, and others.
* In the last 2 years, the infrastructure of healthcare organizations has significantly improved. Some examples include: with the support of the Turkish government, a family medicine medical center building was constructed in Osh for 93 million soms, equipped with non-medical equipment. A 6-story clinical building for 150 beds at the National Hospital was built with grant funds from the Chinese government (10.5 million dollars invested) and is equipped with medical equipment. With grant support from the German Development Bank (KfW), a National Reference Laboratory for tuberculosis diagnosis was built, which is also equipped. Across the republic, 12 FAPs and 2 UDTs have opened.
In Culture (Anniversaries and Moratorium)
* In the outgoing year, one of the commendable events in the cultural sphere of Kyrgyzstan was the high-level organization of the World Nomad Games. In the city of Cholpon-Ata, 430 athletes from 19 countries competed in 10 different types of national games as part of 22 teams. In this competition, Kyrgyz athletes won 16 gold, 20 silver, and 19 bronze medals, taking first place in the overall team standings, and the Kyrgyz people, galloping on horses, confirmed that their homeland is the great mountains and that they are descendants of a truly nomadic people.
* Another major international event was the 150th anniversary of the akyn Toktogul Satylganov, celebrated at the state level in the Kyrgyz Republic. Alongside this, it was recognized by the TURKSOY organization, and the year 2014 was declared the Year of Toktogul Satylganov among Turkic-speaking countries. The anniversary celebrations took place in the capital, educational institutions, especially in the small homeland of the akyn in Ketmen-Tobo, at a very high level. The creative team of the National Philharmonic, named after Toktogul Satylganov, consisting of more than 400 creative individuals, traveled and presented theatrical performances and a large concert featuring folk talents. In these two historical events, the main director was Altynbek Maksutov (now the Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic), who covered the events not only across the republic but also through media worldwide. The world became acquainted with the culture, literature, and art of the Kyrgyz people.
* It is also worth mentioning one more thing. Compared to previous years, 2014 became a year of anniversaries in the cultural sphere. This is exemplified by the prevalence of outstanding historical figures in the field of art among the Kyrgyz people. To be more precise, at the state level, the following anniversaries were celebrated: the 120th anniversary of the renowned manaschi, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR Sayakbay Karalaev, the 130th anniversary of the state and public figure Imanaly Aydarbekov, the 175th anniversary of the state and public figure Shabdan Jantay uulu, the 150th anniversary of the outstanding manaschi Choyuke Omur uulu, the 90th anniversary of Kaaba Atambek uulu, the 95th anniversary of the holder of the once highest status in the Kyrgyz Republic, prominent statesman Turdakun Usubaliev, and the 80th anniversary of the People's Artist, manaschi of the Kyrgyz Republic Urkash Mambetaliev. As is customary, the 110th anniversary of the outstanding folk akyn of Kyrgyz literature, Hero of Socialist Labor, Academician Aaly Tokombaev, the 110th anniversary of the famous writer and playwright Kasymaly Zhantoshev, and the 90th anniversary of the folk writer Zuur Sooronbaeva were also celebrated.
The solemn events for the 100th anniversary of another outstanding son of the Kyrgyz people, Rahmankul Japarqulov, took place in Istanbul.
A high-level festive evening was held in honor of the anniversary of the People's Artists of the Kyrgyz Republic Satybaldy Dalbaev and Miraida Dalbaeva at the Kyrgyz National Drama Theater named after T. Abdymomunov. It is also worth noting the 60th anniversary of the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences and the 20th anniversary of the State Emblem of the Kyrgyz Republic.
A significant news in the film world was the movie "Kurmangan Datka," directed by Sadik Sher-Niyaz. Among thousands of viewers, this film received commendable reviews, and other countries recognized the success of Kyrgyz cinema, which spread even to internet sources. It was nominated for an Oscar, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that we reached 15th place on the list.
This year saw many successes in painting. Hundreds of exhibitions were opened. It should be noted that one of them was at a high level - a private art exhibition by the People's Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic Taalay Kurmanov. A book compiled from selected paintings was published in Moscow. Other examples include private exhibitions by N. Turpanov, S. Babajanov, and other artists. An exhibition of young artists dedicated to the diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Japan, as well as an exhibition of artists dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Union of Artists of the Kyrgyz Republic, were organized at a high level.
There has been talk among the people about the non-compliance with the requirements of the regulations in our libraries. In recent years, model (mobile?) libraries have opened, and now the number of libraries across the republic providing services to the population, from kindergartens to adults, has reached 1,056. The renewal of the book fund has also increased as much as possible. For example, the National Library named after Alykul Osmonov received 17,600 books of various titles this year.
Overall, it can be said that the mood in culture this year is good. But it is also true that the prolongation of the years for which a moratorium on state titles in the field of culture has been declared somewhat dampens the spirit.
Author: Baktygul CHOTUROVA
Source: newspaper "Kyrgyz Tuusu" No. 100 dated 30.12.2014/pages 5 and 7
