Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (May 26, 2008) – The European Union hands over a newly constructed Training Centre to representatives of the Kyrgyz Border Service.

Now the refurbished and equipped training facility will provide short and long term courses with a total capacity of 100 trainees. A training package includes methods of operation to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies and integrated border management for border guards.

BOMCA built the Training Center during 2007-2008 aimed at enhancing border management training capacities in Kyrgyzstan and provided for furniture, office, teaching and sport equipment for the centre. Total construction budget together with provided furniture and equipment amounted to over 455 000 EURO.

Over the past five years, the European Union has made considerable efforts in upgrading border facilities and facilitating trade in Central Asia through its Border Management in Central Asia programme.

In addition to the Centre inaugurated today, a satellite training centre was inaugurated in April 2007 at refurbished premises in Osh, as a base for field training in the Fergana pilot region. Renovation works in the Training Centre in Osh is completed for the total amount of over 148 000 EURO.

The main objective of the new, sixth phase of the BOMCA Programme is to demonstrate to Central Asian Governments the benefits of the EU integrated border management approach for the facilitation of trade and transit, through model projects at BCPs on major Central Asian trade corridors.

The European Union will foster Institutional Reform in border management, strengthen training capacities in Central Asia and continue strengthening infrastructure capacities along trade and transit corridors in Central Asia.

The BOMCA programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ruslan Baiysh Tegin, BOMCA-CADAP Country Manager
(312) 61 20 18
ruslan.baiysh@eu-bomca.kg