WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 25 -- The Republic of Kyrgyzstan has become the first Central Asian Republic of the former Soviet Union to join the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Kyrgyzstan's Ambassador to the United States Roza Isakovna Otumbayeva, signed IFC's Articles of Agreement during a ceremony in Washington on February 11, 1993. Kyrgyzstan is the 152nd country to join IFC, which is a member of the World Bank Group and the largest source of financing for private sector projects in developing countries. Kyrgyzstan's subscription to IFC's share capital is $1,720,000. The Corporation's total authorized capital is $2.3 billion. According to Gorton De Mond, IFC investment officer for Central Asia, IFC's initial focus in Kyrgyzstan will be on the mining sector, particularly gold-related projects, as well as projects in agriculture, capital markets, and tourism. IFC sent its first mission to Kyrgyzstan in September 1992. (30)
