AKIPRESS.COM - The apparel factory in Ninje-Chuisk village, Chui region, celebrated its expansion through receiving 130 new sewing machines from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Embassy in Bishkek said.

The ceremony was attended by Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic Sonata Coulter and factory director Marat Sultanov.

The equipment was provided under USAID’s Enterprise Competitiveness Project, in which local businesses make investments for improvement and growth in tandem with support from the American people. As a result of this cooperation, the factory’s production capacity has increased by 15%.

“With new equipment provided by USAID support we are introducing a new sewing line and recruiting additional seamstresses from Nijne-Chuisk and neighboring villages,” says Marat Sultanov.

Currently, the factory produces high-quality garments, particularly sportswear for men, women, and children for local markets and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Mr. Sultanov plans to start exporting to new markets in the future.

“We believe private businesses in the Kyrgyz Republic can lead the way toward an improved standard of living for Kyrgyzstani citizens. And we will continue to support the Kyrgyz Republic through programs that help businesses and enterprises succeed in opening new markets and creating more jobs,” noted Charge Sonata Coulter in her opening remarks.

The USAID Enterprise Competitiveness Project is a $22.7 million investment implemented over five years. The project works with small and medium businesses in the fields of textiles, food production, agriculture, IT, finance, and others to help expand their production and sales, leading to job creation in Kyrgyzstan. The program has already provided support to more than 110 enterprises across the country.