Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : BISHKEK, KYRGYZ
Tarikh/Date : 12/09/97
Tajuk/Title : THE DELEGATION MEETING AND
PRESENTATION OF THE ECONOMIC REPORT
1. During my visit here in July 1996, we promised to
assist in conducting a joint economic-study of the
Republic of Kyrgyz. The intention of the Study was to
provide senior officials of the Republic with an economic
roadmap, as well as to identify potential areas for
foreign investments.
2. The Study officially began in September 1996, when an
advance team from Malaysia visited the Kyrgyz Republic to
initiate discussions and to collect background data for
analysis. Follow-up mission then visited the Republic in
November, to conduct consultative discussions with
relevant agencies and to obtain additional data. A first
draft of the Report was ready by March this year, and it
was critically reviewed by your officials and agencies.
3. Today, I am pleased to inform you that the study has
been completed, the result of a joint effort between
Malaysia's Economic Planning Unit and your Ministry of
Finance, formerly the Ministry of Economy. The Study has
also been translated into Russian, to make sure that it is
accessible to all levels of the Kyrgyz Government, as this
will then enable the Report to be comprehensively
understood as well as to expedite its implementation.
4. We do not claim that the Study has the answers to all
your queries and questions. What it does have, is the
wealth of our own development experience in Malaysia,
which we gladly share with you. The Study provides an
analysis of the 11 sectors identified by our senior
officials as needing particular attention. The approach
of the Study was one of maximising the use of limited
resources by ensuring that the development of one sector
would in turn support the development of another. The
overall Integrative Report then pulls together the major
findings from all the sector reports. Overall, it is our
view that the Study should serve as a complement and
supplement to the numerous studies already carried out by
various aid agencies and international organizations for
the Kyrgyz Republic.
5. The Study is as comprehensive as it can be, but to
fully maximise its potential, there is also a need for a
change in mind-set and attitudes towards the challenges
being faced. A sense of urgency has to be inculcated;
there has to be an openness of mind to new and better ways
of doing things; there must be courage in trying out new
ideas. There will be failures of course, but I hope we do
not allow those mistakes to discourage us from learning
and trying again. I am confident that the adoption of
such a positive and outward-looking attitude, will in the
long run ensure the successful development of the Kyrgyz
Republic.
6. At this juncture, I would like to say a few words
about the possible areas in which Malaysia can contribute
towards the Kyrgyz Republic's development. As a fellow
developing country, our resources are limited. As such,
we think that the most effective manner for us to
contribute would be in the form of providing training and
the sharing of experiences, including the provision of
hands-on training.
7. In addition, I see great potential in cooperation
between our private sectors, where our chambers of
commerce could start by building strategic alliances and
exploring potential areas of business. I am made to
understand that some of these cooperative efforts have
started.
8. Your Excellency is aware 15 of your government
officials have already undergone training under our
Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme. These training
courses and study-visits began in 1992, and are continuing
with several Malaysian agencies such as the Economic
Planning Unit, the National Institute of Public
Administration, the National Library, Cooperative's
College of Malaysia, the Institute of Diplomacy and
Foreign Relations, the Institute of Medical Research,
National Archives and the Tun Razak Broadcasting
Institute.
9. The following are some specific areas where we will
be able to offer training:
i) Banking, Financial Sector and the Fiscal System
- Training on the tax and fiscal system with our Inland
Revenue Board and the Royal Customs and Excise
Department.
- Training and skills upgrading of senior central bank
officials at our Bank Negara, to include monetary fiscal
policies, commercial bank operations, risk assessment and
management, and promotion of investments.
- Banking is a critical sector, for a sound financial
sector goes a long way towards building investor
confidence.
ii) Legal and Constitutional Affairs
- Exposure of Kyrgyz Republic judges and legal officials to
various aspects of commercial law, legislative drafting,
legal education and legal aid education.
iii) Trade and Industry
- Assist in setting up a Malaysian Industrial Development
Authority-type organisation and the setting up of an
agency to oversee the management of Free Economic Zones.
- Attachment of Kyrgyz officials to MIDA to learn about the
formulation of industrial policies and the promotion and
management of investment.
iv) Energy Sector
- Exposure to our privatisation experiences in the energy
sector
v) Agriculture Sector
- Assistance of a monitoring and evaluation system
for agriculture projects.
- Study visits for Kyrgyz officials to learn about R & D
extension and technical advisory systems, marketing
systems, credit systems, and our land development
programmes.
vi) Transportation Sector
- Assist in the formulation of a transportation masterplan
for the Kyrgyz Republic.
10. I would now like to present to Your Excellency, a
specially bound copy of the Report for your personal
reference. I believe the agencies have also received
copies of the Report.
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