ADB Mission Visits Special Free Economic Zones in Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic

An Asian Development Bank mission, led by Regional Cooperation Specialist Guoliang Wu of the Central and West Asia Department, met with government officials responsible for the oversight and supervision of special economic zones (SEZs) in Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

At the SEZs in Alatau, Shymkent, and Karaganda in Kazakhstan, and in Naryn, and Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic, the mission consulted with officials of the SEZ managing companies and resident enterprises on current operations, challenges, and business prospects especially in light of the implications of their accession to the World Trade Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union.

The mission was fielded under a regional policy and advisory technical assistance, supporting industrial park development in the CAREC region, which is undertaking diagnostic studies of SEZs in the two countries and developing strategic frameworks that will help the two governments formulate strategies, policies, and programs, build on international best practice, and take into account the national, regional, and global context.

The mission comprised of Mr. Wu, international consultants Michael Daly, Andreas Schon, and Ronaldo Oblepias, national consultants Meruert Makhmutova and Gulnara Arymkulova, and regional cooperation coordinators Kenzhekhan Abuov and Aidana Berdybekova.