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U.S. Navy, USAID, and the Boeing Corporation Donate Modern Scientific Instrumentation and Electronic Test Equipment USAID and IOM Are Starting a New Anti-trafficking Program Kazakhstan-U.S. Program for Economic Development The USAID Commercial Law Project works with Tajik Government on Civil Code amendments United States and Tajikistan extend cooperation to improve primary and secondary education Successful Return from U.S. of Tajikistan’s Third Community Connections Group—“Religion in a Secular Society” Opening of Family Medicine Center in Konibodom Youth Power Center Launches in Khujand Environmental Protection Campaign American Museums Offer Online Resources for Teachers Successful Return From the U.S. Of Tajikistan’s Fourth Community Connections Group — “Fruit and Vegetable Processing/Food Safety” from the Sughd Oblast Awards Ceremony for the Winners of the Competition "The World Without Narcotics" Central Asia Experts Discuss Guidelines for Avian Influenza Surveillance at the Regional Conference organized with the U.S. Government Support Peaks Regional Conference on School Governance in Central Asia The United States and Kyrgyzstan’s “Community Connections” Program Birth Preparedness Schools Open under “Partnership for Healthy Motherhood-Future of Astana” USAID Supports World Press Freedom 2,000 Kazakh Households Will Represent Kazakhstan in an International Entrepreneurship Survey US Ambassador John Ordway visits a USAID Safe Motherhood pilot site in Karaganda City Maternity Hospital U.S. Ambassador John Ordway opens a photo exhibition about the U.S. Government assistance to Kazakhstan at the Karaganda Oblast Universal Library Journalists Study How to Inform the Society on Tuberculosis Prevention Issues USAID Helps Involve Communities in the Implementation of the WHO Integrated Management for Childhood Illnesses Program Third Component USAID Provides Trainings to Nurses on Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses New USAID Mission Director for Central Asian Republics The United States Works with Tajik Specialists to Strengthen and Enhance Surveillance and Response to Avian Influenza Project HOPE and USAID help to open a TB Training Center at the Turkmen State Medical Institute USAID Continues to Strengthen Avian Influenza Surveillance and Response in Turkmenistan USAID Provides Training to Health Specialists on Infection Control and Blood Safety USAID SUPPORTS THE FIFTH ANNUAL REGIONAL MICROFINANCE CONFERENCE IN DUSHANBE USAID AWARDS THE WINNERS OF REPUBLICAN CONTEST “THE BEST PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR IN ACCOUNTING FIELD – 2007” USAID Improves Qualification of University Instructors in Economics Disciplines Project HOPE and USAID Help to Open a Tuberculosis Training Center at the Turkmen State Medical Institute YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS FROM KHATLON WITNESS U.S. DEMOCRACY FIRST-HAND AT U.S. PRESIDENTIAL RALLY IN IOWA COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTERS FROM GORNO-BADAKHSHAN CONFIDENT THEY CAN REDUCE SPREAD OF SICKNESSES, WITH THE HELP OF US EXPERIENCE USAID’s Participation, Education, and Knowledge Strengthening Project Summarizes its work in Kyrgyzstan USAID and Project HOPE handed over to the National Tuberculosis Program of Turkmenistan microscopes, laboratory consumables and reagents for the total amount of $22,331 UNITED STATES AND TAJIKISTAN CONTINUE COOPERATION IN EDUCATION Project HOPE, USAID in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan start DOTS implementation in Balkan region. USAID ANNOUNCES THIRD YEAR OF COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM USAID Announces the Third Year of Community Connections Programs in Tajikistan and Begins its 2008 Recruitment Campaign THE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) MARKS WORLD AIDS DAY USAID Builds a Demonstration Greenhouse in Ahal Province Central Asia’s Organizations are building skills to bolster USAID Improves Qualifications of University Instructors of Tajikistan USAID Sends Post-Earthquake Assistance to Children of Kyrgyzstan Training on Continuous Quality Improvement of Health Services within the Project “Partnership: Health Maternity - Future of Astana” USAID Convenes Regional Energy Experts To Initiate RETURN OF TAJIK BUSINESS LEADERS FROM THE USAID - SPONSORED STUDY TOUR IN THE UNITED STATES U.S. Provides More Than $2 million in Assistance to Tajikistan PRIVATE MONEY DOMINATES FOREIGN AID International Conference Discusses USAID-funded project helps to bolster HIV/AIDS prevention in Kazakhstan USAID CAMFA II and Aglinks Projects Conduct USAID-funded project helps to bolster HIV/AIDS prevention in Kazakhstan Minister Provides Answers at Agricultural Processing USAID Projects Collaborate to Achieve Greater Results 100 Days of Reforms as Part of Doing Business Program U.S. and Turkmenistan anti-Tuberculosis efforts commemorated on World Tuberculosis Day Kyrgyz Republic Launches $16 million Millennium Challenge Threshold Program to Improve the Rule of Law With a National Student Tournament in Economics, Junior Achievement Kazakhstan Graduates from USAID Funding Kazakh National Medical University Receives State of the Art Equipment for Laboratory Trainings USAID Assists Tamchi-Bulak Water Users Association (WUA) withRehabilitation of Their Irrigation Infrastructure USAID-Funded Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project Organizes a Ceremony for the Opening of the Uсh-Terek Farm Store The Astana Enterprise Development Center: New Stage The USAID Quality Learning Project Holds Kick-off Meeting At The Republican Teacher Training Institute in Dushanbe National Association Of Small And Medium Business Discusses Tax Reform Food for a Difficult Time Collaborative Development Initiative Assists Nooken Communities to Use Water Rationally Regional Experts and Governments Cooperating to Battle Avian Influenza Outbreaks Contraceptive Technology Update In Kazakhstan Evidence-Based Expert Meeting Regional Workshop On Improving Health Finance Systems Collaborative Development Initiative Assists Nooken Communities to Use Water Rationally Contraceptive Technology: Еvidence-Based Facts Successful Partnership of Local and International Organizations to Improve Energy Efficiency in Medical Facilities USAID Supports Professional Accountants and Auditors of Kyrgyzstan Final Conference of the Project Hope Healthy Family Program USAID Project On Assistance To Agriculture Launches In Uzbekistan United States Agency for International Development (USAID) grants heavy agricultural equipment to Uzbek Farmers USAID/CAR Regional Mission Director William Frej and USAID Kyrgyzstan Country Representative Pat Shapiro Visit Project that Provides Legal Education in the Religious Community Mobilization of communities to increase population awareness on HIV prevention in Uzbekistan Round Table On Effective Enforcement Of The Intellectual Property Protection Rules Contraceptive Technology Update In Tajikistan PROJECT “I KNOW!” - IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN TAJIKISTAN USAID SUPPORTS THE OPENING OF FAMILY MEDICINE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ISTARAVSHAN Frontiers Microcredit Organization Marks Its 5th Anniversary USAID Project Educates Business Leaders on the Principles of WTO Customs Valuation Agreement USAID and American Councils for International Education (ACCELS) Seek Applications for the Community Connections Program on Library Management USAID Provides Gas Stoves and Blankets to Protect People from Cold Central Asia’s energy companies are developing ways to improve energy transmission in the region WUASP’s active participation in Kunduz/Afghan Agriculture Trade Fair Kyrgyzstan is on the Way to a New Cycle of Negotiations on WTO Government Procurement Good Health Is Above Wealth U.S. AMBASSADOR VISITS SUGHD PROVINCE TO RECOGNIZE FARMER Food risk assessment – guarantee of state’s food safety A Regional Conference Marks World Tuberculosis Day in Talgar A USAID-sponsored Volunteer Receives a Presidential Honor Award for His Service in Central Asia USAID Helps Introduce Modern Technologies to Track and Manage Tuberculosis Program in Turkmenistan USAID Awards a Two-Year Cooperative Agreement Project to Address Food Security in Kyrgyzstan USAID has launched its Stamp Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza (STOP AI) Project in Central Asia USAID and UNDP Support Turkmenistan’s transition to International Accounting Standards USAID awards a grant to conduct a tax survey in Kyrgyzstan USAID SUPPORTS AGRICULTURAL LAND MARKET DEVELOPMENT USAID-Funded Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project Organized a Ceremony for the Opening of the “Sigls International” Farm Store Central Asia’s energy companies discuss a regional energy transmissionplanning model USAID AND MINISTRY OF HEALTH SIGN MOU ON COOPERATION IN HEALTH CARE USAID, agriculture and health professionals of the Central Asian countries discuss potential Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) pandemic preparedness ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND THE USAID PROJECT MEET TO OUTLINE THE COOPERATION PLAN ON ENHANCING THE CAPACITY OF EXTERNAL PUBLIC AUDIT INSTITUTIONS USAID Starts a New Basic Education Project in the Kyrgyz Republic USAID, Turkmenistan Ministry of Health completes the Keeping Children Healthy campaign in Geokdepe etrap, Akhal velayat UNITED STATES DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION NECIA QUAST VISITS SUGHD OBLAST USAID Seeks Applications for a U.S. Study Program on Hospital Management THE UNITED STATES AND TURKMENISTAN OPEN AN INTERNET CENTER AT THE SUPREME COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TAJIK BANK LOAN OFFICERS RETURN FROM UNITED STATES WITH NEW IDEAS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TAJIK BANKING SECTOR UNITED STATES DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION NECIA QUAST PARTICIPATES IN FIRST GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY IN TAJIKISTAN KazNMU and USAID Host Family Healthcare Conference U.S. Provides $50,000 in Earthquake Relief Assistance U.S. DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION OPENS FAMILY MEDICINE CENTER IN PANJAKENT U.S. GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO AVERT FOOD CRISIS IN TAJIKISTAN Kyrgyz Judicial Branch Will Continue Reforms LIBRARIANS SHARE IDEAS AND PERPECTIVES ON DEVELOPING TAJIK Democracy Roundtable USAID ANNOUNCES 2009 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THEMES USAID helps prevent of HIV and other acquired infections in Kyrgyzstan USAID Is Mapping Out a New Health Portfolio for Central Asian Republics The United States Supports Turkmenistan’s Progress towards Meeting International Accounting Standards Two representatives from the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic will attend a Congress of Professional Accountants and Auditors TAJIKISTAN'S GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZE NATIONAL MARATHON FOR WORLD AIDS DAY USAID Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Partnership with Kyrgyzstan USAID HOLDS TRAINING ON PROJECT DEVELOPMENT USAID ANNOUNCES 2009 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THEMES USAID Organized Eighth Meeting of the AgFinance Working Group New Taxpayers Charter Explains Kyrgyz Taxpayers’ Rights and Responsibilities Taxation of noncommercial organizations according to the new Tax Code of the Kyrgyz Republic 2009 ALUMNI GRANTS PROGRAM Kyzylkia Youth Initiative Group Helps Children with Special Needs USAID and Counterpart Are Helping Communities Launch Four Economic Development Projects USAID Announces the Fourth Year of the Community Connections Program in Kyrgyzstan and Begins its 2009 Recruitment Campaign INTERNET ACCESS AND TRAINING PROGRAM PERCEPTIBLE AID FOR SUGHD PEOPLE The role of Mass-media in Tuberculosis Control U.S. AND TURKMEN TRAINING SUPPORTS TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION AND HIV PREVENTION USAID and Counterpart Build NGO Capacity In Communication Strategies IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL MARKETING IN TAJIKISTAN WITHIN USAID PROJECT “I KNOW!” U.S. Support for International Financial Reporting Standards in Turkmenistan On February 18-20, 2009 USAID and the United States Energy Association’s (USEA) are organizing a workshop for energy transmission operators from Afghanistan and the fiveCentral Asia Republics on Special Protection Systems for Transmission System Operations and Emergencies at the Holiday Inn in Almaty, Kazakhstan. USAID: Regional Trade Liberalization and Customs Project Launches Trade Magazine STRENGTHENING MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES AT TAJIK HOSPITALS USAID Strengthens Avian Influenza Surveillance, Biosecurity, and Response in Kazakhstan US MISSION DELIVERS FOOD TO REPUBLICAN TUBERCULOSIS HOSPITAL USAID STRIVES TO SIMPLIFY CUSTOMS PROCEDURES USAID and COUNTERPART BUILD NGO CAPACITY IN COMMUNICATIONS USAID Organizes Training in Rural and Agricultural Finance STATE DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR REVIEWS PROJECTS IN KHATLON USAID’S REGIONAL DIRECTOR VISITS ASHGABAT FOOD ASSISTANCE TO VAKHSH RESIDENTS USAID Strengthens Avian Influenza Surveillance, Biosecurity, and Response in Turkmenistan USAID Supports Fifth International Agricultural Exhibition in the South of Kyrgyzstan USAID BEGINS SUPPORT GROUPS TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HIGH BLOOD USAID and its partners commemorate World Tuberculosis Day USAID HELPS JOURNALISTS JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS USAID ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF A COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM FOR LIVESTOCK VETERINARIANS IN 2009 USAID Combats TB in Uzbekistan USAID CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF PARTNERSHIP WITH TAJIKISTAN Turkmen Economic Specialists Learn Business English through USAID Program USAID-Supported Concert Highlights Information and Education Campaign on the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis STUDENTS DISCUSS SAFE MOTHERHOOD PROGRAMS AT A USAID-SUPPORTED CONFERENCE Roundtable for NGOs “New legislation on NGO activity” U.S. AMBASSADOR VISITS USAID FAMILY PLANNING EDUCATIONAL SESSION IN RURAL KHATLON USAID BEGINS MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM IN SUGHD Kazakhstan and the United States Pledge Continued Healthcare Cooperation USAID supports Turkmen Youth to Participate in an International Economics Simulation Contest USAID Strengthens Avian Influenza Surveillance, Biosecurity, and Response in Uzbekistan 5 Years Of Partnership For Health In Astana Press Conference To Award “Best Social Partnership Award” Certificates For Officials And Journalists Successfully Dealing With Disabled People’s Issues USAID SUPPORTS SAFE MOTHERHOOD REVIEW MEETING USAID CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF PARTNERSHIP WITH TURKMENISTAN AMBASSADOR JACOBSON AND FOREIGN MINISTER ZARIFI SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON LOCAL SELF-GOVERNANCE REFORM USAID PRESENTS DIPLOMAS TO THE FAMILY MEDICINE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE GRADUATES IN PANJAKENT USAID STRENGTHENS AVIAN INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE, BIOSECURITY AND RESPONSE IN TAJIKISTAN USAID funded Turkmen Governmental Delegation Study Tour to U.S. American Dairy Project Celebrates Milk Production Success USAID and Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB) Jointly Launch Student Loan Program USAID’S “BEST MOTHER” AWARD SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS REFORMS IN TAJIKISTAN SIGNED INTO LAW USAID FUNDS WORKSHOP ON HIV PREVENTION AMONG DRUG USERS USAID, TURKMENISTAN TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS MEETING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS USAID-supported Turkmen Professors Pass First Accounting Certification Exam USAID/CAPACITY OPENS NEW CENTER TO PREVENT HIV USAID and Government of Turkmenistan Cooperate to Support Local Government Initiatives in Turkmenistan. 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USAID and the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB) are pleased to announce an innovative, new project – the Student Loan Program – that aims to increase access to high-quality education for prospective students and access to better qualified graduates for prospective employers. Under the Student Loan Program, USAID has set up a loan guarantee fund that will provide up to 50% in loan guarantees for the student loans. KICB will provide loans to university students, with the possibility of expanding to vocational school students in the future. In addition to providing loan guarantees, USAID is funding the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) to provide technical support for the program. The program is an excellent example of a Public-Private Partnership, which aims to create a viable student loan model of education financing that can be replicated on a continuing basis by the Kyrgyz Government and/or the private sector.

With the current economic situation in Kyrgyzstan, many students are faced with the prospect that they will not be able to afford to attend university or vocational school this year. Student loan programs have been introduced throughout the world as a way of enabling students to pay for their education after its completion. In Kyrgyzstan, current loan packages do not meet the needs of students and their parents. Interest rates are too high, many families do not have the necessary collateral, and repayments need to be made while students are still studying.

USAID Director in Kyrgyzstan, Pat Shapiro, explained the program’s concept in more detail. Ms. Shapiro states, “the Student Loan Program in Kyrgyzstan includes two key components to help young people in Kyrgyzstan: a credit finance component that provides access to higher education for qualified students who are unable to afford tuition; and a technical assistance component to create linkages between graduates and Kyrgyz employers to increase opportunities for employment after graduation.”

In the first year, KICB plans to provide loans to students studying in selected universities throughout the country. The loans will be provided at reasonable interest rates and with repayment terms of up to 5 years. KICB is also planning to provide a “preferential student loan program” for the best-qualified students at a significantly lower interest rate with longer repayment terms. KICB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kwang - Young Choi commented that, “the introduction of an education loan program will certainly contribute to the sustainable long-term development of Kyrgyzstan by providing quality education opportunities to deserving students who want to study in universities and vocational schools who lack the necessary means.”

EFCA will work with KICB and its partners, the EdNet Association and the Bishkek Business Club, to provide technical assistance for the program. EFCA will help identify the educational institutions for inclusion in the student loan program, using criteria such as the needs of the labor market and the quality of education. The program will work with KICB and another lending institution partner to identify the selection process for students and to ensure that the loans are compatible with student needs. The program will build links between these students and businesses, creating internships and short-term work opportunities and will inform students about the benefits and risks involved in the loan process. Finally, EFCA will provide training and resources to help students better prepare themselves for finding jobs upon graduation.

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