According to Togonbaev, the main goal of the reform is to improve the quality of life for citizens and enhance the level of services provided locally. There is also an emphasis on optimizing management, as well as consolidating resources, budgets, and human potential.
"The existing number of municipalities leads to the dispersion of budgets, resources, and personnel. The consolidation of ayil okmotu allows for a focus on more significant projects, which, in turn, increases investment attractiveness and contributes to the balanced development of regions. We are trying to merge subsidized settlements with more self-sufficient ones," he noted.
Additionally, the analysis process includes comparisons with the experiences of other countries. For example, in Latvia, before the reform, there were over 500 small municipalities, which were reduced to 43 large ones after the reform. This led to positive results and the launch of large-scale projects. However, even in developed countries, there are subsidized municipalities. "We are following our own path, taking into account our culture and mentality," added Esenbek Togonbaev.
As a result of the administrative-territorial reform in Kyrgyzstan, the number of ayil aimaks has decreased from 452 to 230. "Previously, there were 1850 villages, but after Gulcha received city status and 12 villages were annexed to it, there are now 1838 villages left," he added.
