In the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, a signing ceremony brought the digital dream of this Central Asian country into reality. On February 2nd, Rafsanbek Sabirov, Director of the State Investment Agency of Kyrgyzstan, signed a cooperation agreement with senior representatives of Shanghai Minghouxufu Business Consulting Management Co., Ltd. and Ante Lingkun (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd., marking the formal transition from conceptual discussions to specific implementation stages.

This meeting is a continuation of the consensus reached at the Central Asia Forum on Science, Technology, and Trade held in Shanghai in January this year. At that time, all parties had reached a preliminary plan for the digital development path in Kyrgyzstan, and this signing meant that these plans were about to take root in the city of Tokmok.

From framework agreement to project implementation

After the agreement was signed, the Kyrgyzstan State Investment Agency immediately began the actual development work of investment projects with Chinese enterprises. According to the information from the Kyrgyz National Investment Agency, the cooperation agreement signed by both parties after the meeting on February 2 marks the transition of investment cooperation from conceptual discussions to specific implementation stages.

Director Lavshanbek Sabirov emphasized during the meeting that it is crucial to push investment measures into the implementation stage, with the goal of achieving quantifiable results through the application of new technologies, job creation, and improvement of quality of life. The National Investment Administration has confirmed that it will provide support for each stage of the project within its legal framework to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.

Digitization and sustainable development become investment priorities

The meeting focused on discussing multiple on-site projects, covering digitalization, sustainable development, and modernization directions, including planned urban and social infrastructure construction. Tokmok City has become a key focus of cooperation and is expected to transform into a regional technology hub that integrates ecology, intelligence, and healthcare.

The specific project includes launching the "Global Ecological City" initiative and building an eco-friendly urban environment that integrates intelligent management systems; Introducing a "smart" public transportation system to enhance urban transportation efficiency and sustainability; Building "smart healthcare cities" or medical clusters that utilize remote healthcare and digital technology; Create an innovative e-commerce platform that integrates business processes and service ecosystems within the region.

These projects reflect the urgent needs of Kyrgyzstan in terms of new urbanization and upgrading of public services. In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has established digital transformation as the core driving force for national development. In October of this year, the country also approved the pilot construction of the central bank's digital currency, the "Digital Som" system, aimed at building an efficient and secure digital payment network through intergenerational upgrading of financial infrastructure.

Tokmok: From a Historical Ancient City to a Smart New City

Tokmok is located in northern Kyrgyzstan, adjacent to the Chu River and bordering Kazakhstan. It is the fifth largest city center in the country with a population of over 70000. This city is located at the intersection of the two main routes of the Silk Road. In ancient times, Chinese and Western merchants gathered here, and it was a must pass for envoys from both the East and the West.

Nowadays, Tokmok is becoming an important carrier for the landing of Chinese funded projects. The city has both industrial foundation and geographical advantages. The south of the city is a newly built industrial zone, with the Tosi Railway leading to the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, which is only 60 kilometers away. From 2004 to April 19, 2006, Tokmok was the capital of Chuhe Prefecture, demonstrating its significant position in the region.

The signing of this memorandum of cooperation consolidates the joint commitment of both parties to build Tokmok into a smart city and a model for successful application of intelligent management systems, indicating that Kyrgyzstan has entered a new stage in modernizing key infrastructure with the help of Chinese investment and technology.

With the continuous deepening of economic and trade cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan, China has firmly established its position as the largest trading partner of Kyrgyzstan. From small commodities in Yiwu to high-tech equipment in Shenzhen, from agricultural products in Xinjiang to mineral resources in Central Asia, busy ports have witnessed the high complementarity and deep integration of the economies of the two countries. The implementation of the Tokmok project this time will inject new impetus into China Kyrgyzstan cooperation and provide a replicable model for the digital development of Central Asia.Editor/Yang Meiling