AKIPRESS.COM - The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation, Dr. Olivier Bangerter, has served in Kyrgyzstan for four years and is now concluding his diplomatic mission. In an interview with AKIpress, he reflected on the accomplishments achieved in the relations between Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland during his tenure as ambassador.

- How relations between our countries changed during your tenure?

- Well, relations have strengthened. But to explain that, I need to give you a bit of context. I arrived on July 2021, as you recall, right after COVID. At that time, diplomatic relations worldwide were somewhat less robust. Very quickly, however, we had the opportunity to host a high-level mission here. The heads of two Swiss development agencies, SDC and SECO, visited in October 2021.

Following that, our presidents began engaging in meetings, not necessarily in Kyrgyzstan or Switzerland - once in New York, once in Paris - where they really had time together. Last year, we had the Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs visiting, which, as you certainly recall, was a significant milestone. What’s particularly notable about him is that he will be the next President of Switzerland in 2027. In our special system, he is the person we already know will assume the presidency. So, we've established a solid connection between him and Kyrgyzstan.

The meeting in Cholpon-Ata with H.E. President Japarov was exceptionally good - not just from a diplomatic perspective, but genuinely a very productive discussion. In 2023, we also resumed political consultations, which had been on pause for several years due to COVID. And this year, we will hold the first Joint Economic Commission for 10 years. These developments are accelerating.

I plan to participate in the Joint Economic Commission personally. It will be one of my last engagements as the Swiss Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. The meeting will take place in Switzerland. But rather than focusing on something flashy - hosting one big event and then stopping - we have worked on maintaining consistent, meaningful progress. And it has worked very well. Instead of a singular, grand visit followed by long periods of inactivity - two years, or more - we have ensured that every six months or every year, there is a significant step forward.

I am aware that a high-level visit is planned for 2026, but since it is not yet public or finalized, I cannot disclose details. Stay tuned - something is coming.

- Tell us about Swiss assistance projects...

- Over the past 30 years, Switzerland has implemented numerous projects, with an estimated 550 million US dollars provided in grants. A grant, in technical terms, refers to money that does not require repayment. So, when Switzerland engages in development cooperation, it does so without creating debt. This sometimes places me in a unique position, as there are no strings attached - no reimbursement required.

Occasionally, as when the president proposed debt-for-green-project exchanges, it means that Switzerland cannot participate because Switzerland does not hold any debt from Kyrgyzstan. Our projects span a wide range of areas: forestry, mountain region development, urban planning, local governance, healthcare, support for small businesses, public finance management, water resource management, hydropower, and many others.

For instance, we estimate that around 3,500 small and medium enterprises have received Swiss support over the years - not just financial assistance, but also guidance in drafting business plans, accessing international markets, hiring qualified staff, and more.

Two projects stand out as particularly emblematic. First, the rehabilitation of the At-Bashy hydropower plant, which I had the honour of inaugurating - an exceptional moment, as ambassadors rarely travel the world opening hydropower plants. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and for me, it happened in Kyrgyzstan, during my very first posting.

The other noteworthy project, which you may be familiar with but perhaps didn’t realize was originally Swiss-led, is the Suit Bulak cheese factory. If you look at the cheeses, you’ll find the Swiss flag right on them.

- Yes, it's one of the oldest projects.

- Exactly. And this is how it worked: we created a company with the clear goal of selling it to a private investor from the very beginning. The intention was never for Swiss government funds to sustain it indefinitely, but rather to establish something that generates jobs, provides income for farmers, and achieves commercial success.

The good news is that the investor who acquired the company is a Swiss national. This means that the connections between Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan in this project continue to thrive.

- Which projects have impressed you the most?

- A project I find most meaningful is not actually a project - it's a partnership. This distinction is important because, unlike a traditional project with a predefined plan and indicators, this initiative brings together three partners, each contributing something unique that the others cannot provide.

The three partners are Switzerland, which provides funding and expertise; the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES); and the World Food Programme (WFP). Through this partnership, Switzerland funded WFP and deployed Swiss experts in disaster risk management to support MES. WFP contributed its expertise and introduced insurance schemes for farmers, allowing them to protect their livelihoods against floods - an inevitable risk in certain regions, even though the exact timing and impact remain uncertain.

MES played a critical role in responding to floods and mudslides, while also undertaking comprehensive risk mapping and cartography to develop an atlas of hazards. This is a remarkable achievement, and I am proud that Switzerland supported a small part of this essential work. MES also focuses on prevention - for example, reinforcing riverbeds with large stone-filled bags to keep rising waters contained and prevent overflow.

I sincerely hope we can expand this partnership because it has been highly effective, and we deeply respect each other's roles. One potential area for expansion is Urban Search and Rescue - teams that specialize in retrieving individuals from rubble after earthquakes. You may recall the major earthquake in Türkiye, where MES deployed its team, and I was informed that they performed exceptionally well. Recently, two members of our Swiss team - the head of operations and the team’s deputy leader - visited Bishkek to explore possible areas for collaboration. Several options are now under discussion, ranging from highly technical aspects to methodological approaches. They were very impressed by the MES team, and I firmly believe there is ample room for exchanging new ideas and expertise.

We hope this is not the end of our cooperation. Whether continuing with the three partners or focusing solely on Switzerland and MES, I believe there is great potential for further development.

Personally, I find this initiative incredibly meaningful because it focuses on preventing disasters rather than just responding to them. Rescue operations are crucial, but ensuring that people don’t lose their homes and livelihoods in the first place is even more impactful.

This issue feels particularly close to home right now. In the past few days, Switzerland experienced a devastating event - a glacier collapsed entirely, bringing water, ice, and debris down onto a village, which was completely destroyed. Fortunately, thanks to monitoring measures, residents were evacuated beforehand. Additionally, avalanche walls helped contain the disaster to a specific area. While the loss of the village is tragic, the situation could have been far worse.

Seeing this first-hand reinforces the importance of the work we do in Kyrgyzstan.

- What is the trade turnover between our countries, and how has it evolved over the past three years?

- Trade turnover is limited because high-value, low-volume products are needed. When transporting goods over a long distance, costs rise. Therefore, sending agricultural products from Switzerland to Kyrgyzstan - such as apricots - would not be feasible at a price consumers at the destination could afford. Switzerland's main exports are pharmaceutical products, which are relatively low in volume but high in value.

Kyrgyzstan’s biggest export to Switzerland is gold. In 2024, CHF 1.6 billion (166 billion KGS) worth of gold was exported from Kyrgyzstan to Switzerland - a significant amount. Over the years 2021, 2023, and 2024, roughly the same quantity of gold was exported, though last year gold prices soared on the international market, increasing its value while the volume remained relatively stable, with only slight fluctuations.

Most of this trade is managed by the National Bank, which works with a Swiss financial institution to sell gold on global markets. In return, the institution provides various currencies – such as Euros, Dollars, Swiss Francs - depending on the National Bank’s needs. The National Bank then uses these currencies to stabilize the Som. The interventions in the currency market regularly reported by Tazabek and AKIpress are funded through these transactions.

This situation is somewhat unusual because Switzerland typically imports gold for refinement and for its watchmaking and jewelry industries. However, Kyrgyzstan presents a different case. Over several years, this trade relationship has sometimes made Switzerland the largest export partner for the Kyrgyz Republic, which is a positive development. Furthermore, as seen in 2021, 2023, and 2024, the volume of exports has remained relatively stable, indicating a long-term trade relationship rather than a temporary surge. A stable trade flow is preferable to volatile spikes and declines from year to year.

- Have there been private Swiss investments in Kyrgyzstan?

There are investors, but not necessarily on a large scale. One notable investor owns Suit Bulak and other ventures - he stands out in a positive way. However, most Swiss investors in Kyrgyzstan to be relatively small, falling under the category of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). These investors typically provide goods or services, and in some cases, establish companies in Kyrgyzstan.

You might recall that last year, a Swiss company was discussing a cable car project. These discussions are ongoing, though I’m not certain about the progress of this particular project. However, I do know that this company will be invited to the Joint Economic Commission, where any obstacles can be addressed.

- How many companies are invited?

- That's a great question, and we haven't made a final decision yet. The key is to strike a balance: we want a representative number of companies from different sectors, since having only cable car companies from Switzerland wouldn't be particularly useful or interesting. At the same time, we must avoid overcrowding the discussion.

On the Kyrgyz side, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance will be involved. On the Swiss side, the equivalent of the Ministry of Economy will participate, with the Head of Foreign Trade leading the discussions.

- When it will take place?

It will take place in June in Switzerland, at a beautiful location, though that detail isn’t particularly relevant for the interview. The challenge is finding the right balance: ensuring a number of companies that is engaging for the Kyrgyz side while avoiding an excessive crowd where everyone wants to speak, leading to lengthy discussions rather than productive dialogue.

Around ten companies seem like a reasonable estimate, but we’ll determine the exact number more precisely as the date approaches.

- Are there many tourists from Switzerland visiting Kyrgyzstan?

I don't have exact figures, but I can tell you that 95% of tourists coming to Kyrgyzstan are from the former CIS countries. Specifically, 61% come from Uzbekistan, 28% from Kazakhstan, and around 5% from Russia. That leaves very little room for visitors from other countries. Swiss tourists rank very low in the published statistics - perhaps just a few hundred, if even that many.

There are several reasons for this. In Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan is perceived as an adventure destination - a place for trekking or horseback riding in the mountains. This is a niche market, not suited for families with grandparents who prefer a beach vacation. Another factor is competition within the region. Take Nepal, for example: last year, 6,500 Swiss tourists visited Nepal. Both Nepal and Kyrgyzstan offer beautiful mountains, great food, warm hospitality, and adventure, making Nepal a strong competitor.

One important lesson we've learned over the years is the crucial role of tour agents. Having local tour operators in Kyrgyzstan who offer good value for money, along with guides who understand and speak some Swiss languages, makes a significant difference. Language barriers can be a major obstacle, as many Swiss visitors do not speak Russian, let alone Kyrgyz. It is challenging to embark on a multi-day trek when communication with the guide - who is responsible for both the experience and safety - is difficult.

This is one of the key lessons I’ve learned: language skills and guide training are essential. When tours go well, visitors return home with positive impressions of Kyrgyzstan. When they go badly, or something else goes wrong, negative feedback spreads - and there's little that can be done to change that. This is true for any market. At this stage of development, tour operators play a crucial role in attracting tourists. The next step will be to establish connections with Swiss tour operators - the people who sell packaged trips - but that will come later.

- Do you plan to visit Kyrgyzstan privately in the future?

Let me share something that most people don’t know. When an ambassador has served in a country, it’s generally not advisable to return for the next three to four years, as it can be awkward for their successor - creating a sense of "the old guy coming back."

The Swiss diplomatic custom is to request authorization beforehand, which is always granted, ensuring that the new ambassador is not unexpectedly faced with their predecessor reconnecting with old contacts. Different countries may have different customs, but I’ve heard this practice from representatives of several nations. If I decide to return, I would simply send a short email, and I’m confident I’d receive a positive response.

I believe this is fair - not only to the new ambassador but also to the authorities - because it keeps the representation of the Swiss government clear. There should never be two figures occupying the same role. Without this clarity, confusion could arise about who is speaking on behalf of Switzerland.

Once I leave my post - after completing my final duties related to Kyrgyzstan - it will be in Switzerland at the end of June. From that moment, I will no longer be the ambassador here. As soon as my successor arrives, he will assume full responsibility as Switzerland’s ambassador.

- Would you like to add anything in conclusion?

- I think the only thing that I consistently say, I say it because it's true: Kyrgyz and Swiss people understand each other at a level that is quite difficult to describe. Our cultures have significant differences, yet there are also striking similarities.

In Switzerland, it's part of the collective imagination - if not everyone’s personal experience - that in summer, cows graze in the Alps, where people make cheese. Then, in autumn, the cows return with the cheese, a festival is held, and they spend winter in the plains before repeating the cycle. Now, replace that with jailoo, horses, and kurut or kymys instead of cheese, and you have the same tradition. Some call this "vertical nomadism," but whatever the term, it reflects a deep connection between people, mountains, and animals. Even for those like you and me - who don’t own cows - this remains a fundamental part of how we see ourselves.

Another similarity is diversity. Switzerland has four national languages, while Kyrgyzstan has a state language, an official language, and several others. Both countries have populations with diverse backgrounds, and this diversity works - when we take the time to nurture it. It’s not just a challenge; it’s a richness and an advantage for any country. And I believe both Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland truly understand this.

Beyond that, my time in Kyrgyzstan has been incredibly rewarding - both personally and for my family. One of the biggest lessons I’ll take with me is how similar we are, despite all our differences. There are many differences, but this deep sense of familiarity made me feel at home here.

- Nice words. Thank you.

- And true words.