As Togonbaev noted, the main goal of the reform is to improve the living conditions of citizens and the quality of services provided at the local level. It is also intended to optimize management, consolidate budget resources, and enhance human resources potential.
“Due to the large number of municipalities, there is a dispersion of budget funds, resources, and personnel. The consolidation of ayil okmotu allows us to focus on larger projects, which increases attractiveness for investors and contributes to the balanced development of regions. We aimed to unite subsidized settlements with self-sufficient ones,” he noted.
Togonbaev added that at the current stage of analysis, the experience of other countries is also being studied. For example, in Latvia, before the reform, there were more than 500 small municipalities, while after the reform, their number was reduced to 43 large ones. This led to positive results and the implementation of larger projects. However, even in developed countries, some municipalities continue to remain subsidized. “We are following our own path, taking into account the peculiarities of our culture and mentality,” the official emphasized.
As a result of the administrative-territorial reform in Kyrgyzstan, the number of ayil aimaks has been reduced from 452 to 230. “Previously, there were 1850 villages in the country, but after Gulcha received city status and 12 villages were attached to it, there are now 1838 villages left,” Togonbaev added.
