In Batken, the café "Bon Espresso," opened by a migrant as part of the national program "Mekeni 1+1," clearly demonstrates the successful implementation of the initiative to support labor migrants and their families who return home and invest their earnings in local businesses.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Labor of the Kyrgyz Republic, Minister Kanat Sagynbaev visited this establishment and reviewed the results of the program.
The "1+1" program offers grants on the condition that the migrant makes an equal contribution. These funds can be used to develop businesses in areas such as light industry, education, IT, transport, and others.
Currently, 59 migrants have already received grants and are actively developing small and medium-sized businesses. In particular, Azatbek Zairbekov, the owner of the café "Bon Espresso," invested 500,000 soms and received an additional 206,000 soms in the form of a grant. His café generates about 9,000 soms per day.
Kanat Sagynbaev noted that this program contributes to the creation of new jobs, strengthens the economy, and supports entrepreneurship. In the Batken region, 38 people are already participating in this project.
The pilot program is being implemented in accordance with the decree of the President of Kyrgyzstan No. 4 dated January 29, 2021, which aims to improve the migration situation, as well as within the framework of the migration policy concept approved by the government on May 4, 2021 (resolution No. 191). Coordination is carried out by the Ministry of Labor, while the implementation on the ground is handled by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce with the support of the International Organization for Migration.
