During his visit to Bishkek, the president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Masato Kanda, gave an exclusive interview to representatives of five leading media outlets of the Kyrgyz Republic, including the publication VB.KG. This was his first meeting with the press since taking office, where he detailed ADB's plans to improve transport infrastructure in the region, support the construction of Kambar-Ata-1, accelerate digitalization, and develop environmentally friendly public transport. Kanda noted that Kyrgyzstan is viewed as a key partner in Central Asia, and the bank is ready to significantly increase its financial support by 2030. The full version of his interview is presented in the next section.
- What role does ADB see for itself in coordinating and financing major transport and logistics projects, and how do you plan to ensure that the benefits of these initiatives reach not only large cities but also remote areas?
- This is a relevant question. First of all, I want to congratulate Kyrgyzstan on its successful chairmanship in CAREC. ADB is the largest multilateral partner and secretariat of this program, so we feel a special responsibility for the development of regional connectivity.
Inclusiveness and connectivity of regions are key priorities of our strategy. We do not just finance projects, but also coordinate the work of countries and provide expert assistance.
ADB plans to invest $10 billion in the development of CAREC transport corridors by 2030, of which $4 billion will be directed to the CAREC-2 Corridor. It is important that residents of small towns and remote areas also feel the results of infrastructure improvements.
We strive to ensure that the benefits reach these territories, including vulnerable groups of the population. Therefore, our projects are designed with a focus on creating logistics hubs and improving connections of remote areas with local and global markets.
- What assistance is ADB ready to provide within the framework of the Kambar-Ata-1 project, one of the largest energy projects?
- Kambar-Ata-1 is critically important not only for the energy security of Kyrgyzstan but also for water resource management. ADB is a key partner of the country in major infrastructure initiatives related to hydropower.
We plan to allocate $300 million in several phases, starting with $140 million on concessional terms. This support will be directed towards the preparation and implementation of the project, as well as enhancing its efficiency.
In addition, ADB actively promotes the development of green energy. We see significant potential in Kyrgyzstan for renewable energy sources, such as hydropower and innovative solutions, including floating solar panels. We also plan to support government institutions in improving energy efficiency.
- You visited the electric bus project in Bishkek. What are your impressions, and how does ADB plan to develop this direction?
- My visit to the depot made a great impression on me. ADB's electric buses are environmentally friendly, quiet, and convenient to operate. I was particularly impressed by three aspects.
First, their eco-friendliness: such buses significantly reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Second, inclusiveness: the presence of ramps, wide doors, and comfortable seating makes transport accessible for women with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Third, it is the balance between environmental and social aspects. We believe that this approach can be successfully scaled beyond Bishkek.
We intend to expand cooperation in the field of green transport and develop similar projects in other cities of the country.
- How does ADB assist Kyrgyzstan in digital transformation and improving competitiveness against the backdrop of growing regional trade and digitalization?
- Digitalization is one of ADB's five strategic priorities. To strengthen support in this area, we have created a special office that focuses exclusively on digital technologies and the implementation of digital platforms.
Digitalization opens new markets, reduces costs, and accelerates the movement of goods and capital, allowing countries to make technological breakthroughs and reduce income gaps.
However, it is also necessary to consider aspects such as cybersecurity, increased energy consumption, retraining of personnel, and digital literacy, which are also within ADB's focus.
Today, we signed the Bishkek Declaration within the framework of the CAREC digital corridor, which is a significant step towards reducing trade barriers and accelerating document flow. ADB plans to actively work on the digital transformation of the region under the leadership of Kyrgyzstan.
- What is your view on Kyrgyzstan's economic growth and its impact on further cooperation with ADB?
- Indeed, the macroeconomic situation in the country has improved, which opens up opportunities for expanding cooperation. From 2025 to 2027, ADB plans to allocate $700 million to Kyrgyzstan, which reflects a high level of trust in the ongoing reforms and economic development.
We will focus on three areas of support.
The first is attracting private investments. To achieve the goals of the National Development Strategy-2030, it is necessary to activate the private sector. We will work on improving the investment climate and financing small and medium-sized enterprises.
The second area is supporting major infrastructure projects, including energy, water resources, transport, and other critical sectors.
The third is strengthening the country's resilience to climate threats and natural disasters. Kyrgyzstan is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and we will continue to provide assistance in adaptation and risk reduction.
We look forward to future cooperation between ADB and Kyrgyzstan with optimism.
