On December 18, 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev met with Business Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic Robin Ord-Smith.

During the meeting held on the initiative of the Kyrgyz minister, Kazakbaev noted the importance of functioning of the Institute of Business Ombudsman, and stressed the ministry's readiness for close cooperation on issues on the agenda.

The minister informed the interlocutor about the meetings held with businessmen from Russia, the People's Republic of China, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with the participation of Heads and representatives of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use, the Investments Protection and Promotion Agency, as well as the competent law enforcement agencies of the republic.

At these meetings, the Kyrgyz side stressed its readiness to protect the interests of foreign businessmen and jointly combat corruption and crime.

Foreign Minister Kazakbaev, after describing the stabilization of the internal political situation in the Kyrgyz Republic and measures taken by new authorities to ensure the safety of employees of foreign enterprises and the safety of their property, assured that the Kyrgyz side will continue to pursue a policy to improve conditions for investment projects in the republic.

The business ombudsman was also informed about the newly established Department of Economic Diplomacy within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide maximum assistance to the relevant state bodies in the work of attracting foreign investment, export and tourism promotion and other related tasks of economic diplomacy.

Robin Ord-Smith thanked for the meeting and noted that it is the first one since the introduction of quarantine measures.

He also noted the importance of the work carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help attract foreign investment and protect foreign investors.

The representatives of the Institute also reported on the number of appeals received by them from the business community.

Given Robin Ord-Smith's past experience as British Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakbaev expressed hope that he would make every effort to intensify trade and economic relations between the two countries.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue the practice of organizing such meetings to address and promote topical cooperation issues.