1. BACKGROUND

Isfana settlement was formed in the 16^th century. In 2001, Isfana was awarded status of a town, and is subordinated to the district or Rayon. Isfana City Administration also covers the towns of Murza-Patcha, Samat, Chimgen, Ak-Bulak, Tailanm and Golbo.

The Isfana town is located in the western part of the Batken oblast, at a distance of some 150 km of form the oblast center, Batken town. The Osh ? Isfana highway passes thru the rayon?s centers of Nookat, Kadamdjai, Batken rayons, and partially thru the area of Sogdiyskaya oblast of Tajikistan.

Nearest railway station is located 45 km away in the village Proletarsk of Sogdiyskaya in Tajikistan and there is also a narrow gauge railway line in Sulukta town some 14 km away.

There is an airport in the town, which will be able handle air flights when its runaway has been renovated.

The town is located at the northern spur of Turkestan mountain range, with an elevation of 1,350 meters above sea level. Winter period is relatively short and comparatively warm. Spring and autumn is usually rainy and the summer is hot and dry.

Total Urban area under governance of the Isfana Town Administration

Land Characterization

The land is fit to growing all types of grain, vegetables, potatoes, fruit, melons and gourds and oil-producing crops.

The population size, according to the Isfana Town Administration in the beginning of 2005 is? 26,915 people. Urban population is 17,915 people and rural ? 9,000 people. There are more than 13,000 employed people.

There are 8 ethnic groups in the town: Kyrgyz 13,522 people (50.2%), Uzbeks ? 13.122 people (48.6%), Tatars ? 99 people (0.3 %), Tajiks ? 74 people (0.2 %), Russians ? 44, Kurds ? 33 people, Bashkirs ? 8 people and Kazakh ? 66 people. There are also 7 people of other nationalities.

2. ECONOMY

Output analysis for 2001?2004 is presented in the table below (in millions soms).

There are public organizations, private businesses, administrative structures of ministries and departments in Isfana.

Main enterprises, their product, and types of enterprises? ownership:

Production of construction materials:

JSC ?Isfana? - building and assembly jobs. Form of ownership is collective. It owes brick plant which outputs 1 millions bricks a year.

JSC "Ak-Tilek" - construction of highways, bridges, water pipe lines and other earthworks. Form of ownership is collective.

Light industry:

JSC "Intymak" produces ready-made garments. Form of ownership is collective. Due to lack of funds and materials it is not currently operational.

Laylyad rayon printing-house. Form of ownership is public. The technical condition of the plant is poor; it requires capital renovation of building and equipment.

Small enterprises:

Currently, there are 20 small enterprises registered with the Isfana city administration, of which 6 are operational, they are:

IT SHOULD BE noted THATthe full ECONOMIC POTENTIAL IS NOT BEING FULLY REALIZED.

In the area of Town Administration, there is a deposit of quartz sand located on the eastern side of Jaramansan-Sai canyon. In the mouth of the river Isfana-Sai there is construction limestone gravel deposits.

There is a clay-pit with of 3 million m3 volume.There is an area of 1 hectare which belongs to the Town Administration.

Agricultural produce includes: numerous type of vegetables, melons and gourds, fruit, grain and oil-producing crops. Residential land is mostly dry land, upon which they grow grain (wheat, barley) and oil-producing crop (sunflower). Within recent years residents have grown mostly sunflower due to the suitable climatic conditions. Therefore, an oil-pressing mini-plant is needed.

There are 50 mineral water-springs of clean therapeutic water suitable for bottling and other industrial and technical purposes.

Many local people have carpet weaving skills so there is an opportunity to open a carpet workshop.

BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS:

Business development organizations:

3. LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

Town Kenesh (Parliament) consists of 21 members. Chairman of the Town Kenesh is Isabekov U.I. The following permanent commissions were formed from the Kenesh members:

ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE TOWN

MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISES AND ORGANIZATIONS:

MAIN PROBLEMS:

4. PUBLIC SERVICES

4.1. HEALTH

Territorial hospital serves residents of rayon and the towns. The Family Medicine Center (FMC) provides outpatient care. There are 5 Family Group Practices operating in the FMC.

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES:

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Medical equipment for complete examination of patients is needed: bronchoscope, gastrofibroscope, cystoscope, portable X-ray device, ultrasound equipment, ECG encephalograph, ECG equipment, and binocular microscope.

2. Lack of funds to buy drugs to carry out first aid.

3. Gas blood analyzer is needed.

4. Lack of funds to buy magazines and journals related health in order to maintain and improve the education of the health professionals.

5. Doctors need in-service training.

4.2. EDUCATION

Rayon Education Department together with Isfana Town Administration work with schools and kindergartens located in the area of the Town Administration.

Education Facilities and Number of Students

Education Facilities and Number of Students

(Institution of Higher Education and Mid-level Education, Vocational Lyceums)

Other organizations:

Children and Youth Sports School: 15 / 215 students

Children Educational Center ?Meriim? 19 study groups / 525 students

Music School for Children: 11 teachers/ 100 students

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. 50% of schools premises require major repairs

2. Insufficient provision of school furniture, textbooks and training manuals

3. Absence of equipment for the laboratory and practical classes

4. Shortage of qualified staff due to low wages.

4.3. CULTURE AND SPORT

The rayon central library possesses 42,515 books, children library 27,206 books, Samat village library ? 8,979 books.

There are the Historical Museum, Museum of Fame, and Museum of I.Razzakov, all of which make a significant impact on the dissemination of historical knowledge, in patriotic and aesthetic development of the younger generation. Secondary school students, students of institutes of higher education, vocational schools, visitors and townspeople visit the museums. Up to 2,600 people a year visit the museums, including 360 people individually and 2,240 thru special excursions. All the museums were established in 1986. The total floor area is 13.60 ?2 and includes three exhibition rooms.

There is a park of recreation and culture with an area of 7 hectares. Seven attractions have been installed in the park but they all require repairs.

There is a teacher training music school in the town (accordion, komuz, piano, rubob and daira)

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Loudspeaker equipment is required with power of 1 kW, for conducting public events at the stadiums, and other open areas, and sound-recorder for organizing a studio.

Central library requires a new building, money to replenish the book stocks with modern educational and fiction literature, and computer equipment.

3. Museums need budget financing.

4. Park of Recreation and Culture is financially self-sustainable. In order to increase and diversify leisure time activities, the park needs some new attractions (there are currently only 7 attractions in the park).

5. There is a lack of musical instruments and furniture. There is no specialist to fix musical instruments. Construction of a new building is required.

SPORTS FACILITIES (located in the town):

1. Town stadium 1 (for 5,000 seats)

2. Football field 3

3. Basketball field 2

4. Volleyball field 3

5. Gyms 5

6. Sports complex 1

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Insufficient provision of sports equipment.

2. The Town stadium requires overhaul (spectators seats in the stand and administrative building) and an irrigation system is needed forthe football ground.

4.4. HOUSING

JSC ?Leilek-Kommunalshik? serves 19 multi-story apartment houses, including 14 in Micro district 1 on the east side of town, and 5 are located in the older part and town center. Number of apartments 304, total area 15,981.28 ?2, residential area 9,165.60 ?2. 10 apartments which are not privatized with total area ? 525.70 ?2, residential area ? 301.50 ?2.

No. of residential houses? 5,154, with total area ? 387,580.8 ?2, residential area ? 315,940.2 ?2.

There is a functioning condominium - ?Khan-Shyrdak?, which serves 16 apartment houses.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Bills outstanding from population for services are 3,000soms as at January 2005.

2. Shortage of finance for capital repairs of roofs of multi-story apartment blocks and utility equipment (replacement of pipes, water valves, heating valves, etc).

4.5. SOCIAL SECUTRITY

Isfana Town Administration and Rayon Social Security Department are responsible for the implementation of the national, and oblast social support programs.

There are some programs for supporting poor people, such as subsidizing utility costs, electricity fees, and some health care programs. During 2004 townspeople were provided with support amounting to 50,500 soms, funded from the municipal budget.

Poverty Rate as for 2005

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Impossibility to provide jobs for everyone.

2. Rehabilitation center for children is required.

3. Nursing home is required for single, aged people.

4.6. EMPLOYEMENT OF POPULATION

Leilek Rayon Employment Center deals with unemployment issues in Town administration. There are 17 thousands of work capable (employable) people. 578 people are currently registered in the Employment Center list of unemployed.

Number of unemployed in the period of 1997-2004

In order to support the unemployed people, Leilek rayon Employment Center gives micro-credits. So, 5 unemployed citizens received micro-credits amounting to 30,000 soms, in 2004. One of the main active policies of the Town Administration in the labor market is the creation of new jobs. Despite the limited financial position of the Town Administration, it undertakes certain measures and supports enterprises and organizations in creating jobs for the unemployed and for people experiencing difficulties in finding a job. 237 new jobs were created by Town Administration:

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Lack of jobs.

2. Low salaries.

3. Lack of qualified personnel.

4.7. MARKETS AND DISTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITIES

Isfana Town Administration authorizes the opening of markets and controls their operation.

There are 4 fixed retail markets (2 markets are private and 2 are co-operatives).There are also 81 shops, and 1 kiosk (small shop). More than 500 people are involved in the entrepreneurial activities in these markets. In 2004, the retail commodity circulation was 102 millions soms, which was 5% higher compared to the previous year.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. There are some problems with Customs and Excise when goods are exported or imported across the borders withTajikistan and Uzbekistan.

2. High interest rate of loans.

4.8. WATER SUPPLY

Town Vodokanal is a specialized enterprise, which supplies all drinking water. There are 13,120 customers of Vodokanal: population 13,091 and organizations and facilities ? 29. Vodokanal?s fixed assets are valued at 266,177 soms. There are 1,390 water taps in Isfana 1,362 in residential houses and 28 for public use (street taps): 487 residential and 6 street taps are located in the Micro District-2 in the north east of the town, 217 residential and 5 street taps are located in the Micro District 1 in the eastern part of the town, and in the center of the town there are 658 residential and 17 street taps.

Isfana Town Kenesh in agreement with Batken Oblast Anti-monopoly Department approves water tariffs. Tariffs for using water from residential taps are 3.90 soms, from street taps 7.80 soms, for organizations - 3.90 soms

Three wells supply drinking water to the town:

1. Well Kontora water is pumped from 2 wells.

2. Well Micro-district 2 water is pumped from 2 wells, one however is not operational,

3. Well Pilol water is pumped from 1 well

4. Well Chulgon water is pumped from an open spring

The daily volume of water supplied to the population, budget organizations and institutions is 6,000 ?3 a day.

The length pipewater pipe network in Micro District 2 is 27 km, in Micro -District 1 is 7 km, and in the center of the town 29 km. The first water pipes were laid in the period 1957-1970, and 70-80 % of them are deteriorated badly. The quality of the drinking water supplied by Vodokanal complies to the standards 214?559-96.

The financial situation of Vodokanal: There are 13 schools in the Town Administration, and only 8 receive water. For example, Town Administration planned to use only 20,000 soms worth of water a year, but actually 160,000 soms worth of water was used.

Actual revenues in 2004 were 300,000 soms, actual expenditure 500,000 soms, losses were 200,000 soms.

MAIN PROBLEMS :

1. As for.12.1.04 accounts receivables amounted to 371,725 soms, including 146,175 soms from budget organizations, population 110,000 soms and other organizations 105,550 soms.

2. Deterioration of water pipes and stop valves.

3. Absence of water meters at the well and in people?s houses.

4. Lack of irrigation water in Micro District 1, thus people use drinking water to irrigate their land.

5. Deterioration and shortage of pumping equipment; in the center of the town near rayon administration ESV-10 pump is required; ESV-12 pump is required to Micro -District 1.

6. Lack of excavation equipment and specialized equipped vehicles.

7. Well Chulgon requires overhaul and construction of a dam since this well is located in the path of potential mudflows.

8. Lack of irrigation water

9. Insolvency of population

An Association of Water Users ?Too Jaloo? was created in Town Administration to supply irrigation water to fields and farms of Isfana town and the villages of Murza-Patcha, Samat, Chimgen, Tailan, A-Bulak and Golbo. The following are on its balance sheet:

Canals ? 20.53 m; Aryk (small irrigation ditches) networks ? 79 km, including: Isfana ? 54.3 km; in villages Golbo ? 1.7 km; Tailan ? 4 km; Chymge ? 7 km; Samat ? 9 km; Murza-Patcha ? 3 km.

Pump stations ? 5, including: in Isfana? 3; in village Chimgen? 1; in the village Murza ? Patcha ? 1.

4.9. POWER SUPPLY

Electrical power is supplied by Osh Eletr of Leilylesk Rayon Electric Station. The length of the town?s high voltage (HVL) 10 kv lines is 48.62 km, (HVL) 0.4 kv ? 128.98 km. No. of operational transformer sub-stations is 94.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. All cites require 50% reconstruction.

2. Installation of 9 additional substations is required in the villages of A-Bulak (1-100kv), v. Tailan (1-250kv), Jany-Adad (1-250kv), Uzun-Sai (1-100kv), Vetlechebnitza (1-100kv), Chimgen (1-100kv), Center (1-250kv, Chynar (1-250kv) Micro District-1 (1-250kv).

3. Accounts payable as at 12.01. 04 was 18,198,700 soms.

4. A limit of power consumption for 2004 was imposed and set as 246 mil kw/hour

4.10. SEWAGE

JSC ?Leilek-Communalshik? used to provide sewerage services but, currently there no mains sewerage services available in the town. There are some sewerage systems in multi-storey blocks of apartments and the Territorial Hospital in Micro District-1, theyuse one septic tank for each block and covers 150 customers. Due to lack of funds and deterioration of sewerage systems, the sewage systems are not operational. Also there is insufficient funds to remove liquid sewage waste, since the cost of transport services for one trip for removal is 6,400 soms, and the charge to the is only 2,450 soms.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Renewal of sewerage pipes is required

2. Construction of town sewage treatment plant or large volume septic tanks is required

3. Special equipment (transport) is required to remove waste

4.11. COMMUNICATION

The telephone communication services in the town are provided by the Leilek Department of JSC ?Kyrgyz Telecom?, which serves 1,551 customers. There are 1295 analog numbers and 256 digital numbers, and 77 analog numbers in the village Samat. There is Central ATS (automated telephone system) in the town the based on ATS 100/2000 with a capacity for 2000 numbers, and in the village Samat there is ??S for 200 numbers.

Mailing services in the town are provided by Leilek branch of public enterprise ?Kyrgyzpochtasy?. Central Post Office serves Isfana town, villages. Tailan and bulak. The local postal telegraph office Ozdorush serves Micro Districts ?1, ?2 of Isfana and Golbo village.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. In ability of the population to pay their bills and accounts receivables amounts to 3,603,300 soms.

2. Unstable communication related to disconnection of electricity.

3. Poor quality telephone communication between customers served by Leilek Branch, due to the deterioration of ATS equipment, telephone lines and cables.

4. Shortage of computers, obsolete equipment and it is impossible to connect to the Internet.

5. It is necessary to construct a new building for the local postal telegraph office Ozdorush.

4.12. HOUSEHOLD WASTE MANAGEMENT

Removal of household waste from residential houses and enterprises is carried out by JSC ?Leile-Kommunalshik?. 8,000 people out of 17,000 inhabitants use their services. The price for liquid waste removal is 650 soms per one trip, and for solid waste 450 soms.

Garbage collection in the town is performed four times a week by one team using a special vehicle (?-40). There are 5 waste dumps in the town, and the rest the waste is removed directly from residential houses, organizations and institutions. Loading and unloading is performed manually. 16,200 ?3 of solid waste is removed from the town area every year. Solid waste is taken to a dump located 6 km to the west of the town. This dump is owned by JSC Leilek Communalshik.

Actual revenues for 2004 were 10,515 soms, expenditures were 14,800 soms and losses were 4,285 soms.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Absence of specialized transport, bulldozers, excavators, graders, snow-ploughs, water carriers, etc.

2. Lack of money for spare parts and fuel

3. High levels of outstanding debts since 2003 - 8,500 soms.

4. Absence of mini-plant for solid wasted management.

4.13. LAND USE PLANNING (PERMITS)

Authorization and the production of permitting documents for the design, construction and re-profiling of buildings in the area of Town Administration areis carried out by the Leilek Rayon Department of Architecture and Construction. The master plan for the future development of the town and villages was developed by Rayon Department of Architecture and Construction. In 2003, the master plan of Isfana town and villages was updated. The following timeframe and expenditures required for processing and production of permitting documents, according to Government Resolution no. 57, dated 02.03.00, is:

MAIN PROBLEMS:

4.14. HEATING

The centralized heating systems installed in multi-storey blocks of apartments in the Microdistrict-1 were served by ?Oshtelploenergo?. In 1995, all boilers became the responsibility of the Isfana Town Administration. Due to lack of funds for serving the boiler-houses, deterioration of boilers and heating systems, most heating systems in residential multi-storey buildings are non-operational.

Currently there are 9 boiler-houses that are heating secondary schools. Out of 9 boiler-houses, 7 are use solid fuel and 2 use electricity.

Town Administration needs 1,400 tones of coal per year. In order to deliver coal from Sulucka to Isfana?s schools, it is necessary to pay 300 soms per ton of coal. Budget does not provide these funds and, this money should be paid thru the special funds item in the municipal budget. 1400 tones of coal will cost 420,000 soms, but the special funds item is only 550,000 soms. For boilers heated by electricity the costs are 2,640 soms kw/hour.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Heating systems are worn out, therefore there is no heating in residential blocks of apartments.

2. Boiler houses in Micro District-1 and in the town?s center are worn out due to the lack of maintenance before they were handed over to the Town Administration. The boiler houses are very badly deteriorated. The boilers are not operational.

3. It is necessary to start construction of new boiler houses and new boilers have to be installed.

4.15. ROADS

Roads of the Town Administration are served by rayon organization DEP ? 13. The Llength of the Town Administration roads, which is served by DEP ? 13 is 47 km, of which asphalted roads - 47 km, graveled ? 17 km. The Osh - Isfana is an asphalted road with a length of 23 km and goes from the center of Isfana to the villages of Chymgen, Samat, Murza, and Patcha. Gravel roads are located: Isfana ? Golbo - 2 km, Isfana ? Ak-Bulak - 4 km, Samat ? BEshbala - 5 km, Isfana ? Andarak - 6 km. There are 6 bridges within jurisdiction of the Isfana Town Administration.

Length of roads within the town is? 32 km, asphalted roads ? 12 km, gravel roads ? 20 km, length of pavements ? 7 km.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. All 12 km of asphalted roads require re-asphalting.

2. All gravel roads have to be asphalted

3. In order to avoid accidents, it is necessary to carry out timely road patching and repairs. Also, 9 additional traffic lights and 70 traffic signs need to be installed.

4. Construction of the bridges. Samat-Beshbala, (estimated cost 15 millions soms), and the bridge Isfana-Tailan (estimated cost ? 8 mil.soms).

5. In order to provide illumination to some parts of the town (2.5 km) ? 230 additional streetlights are required.

4.16. TRANSPORT

Leilek Rayon Administration overseas motor transport operation in the area of the Town Administration through its department of transport inspection. In 2002 a tender was conducted for serving passengers oin bus routes. Cost of passenger transportation is agreed with the Batken Anti-monopoly commission.

Isfana Town Administration with rayon transport inspection department overseas operation of public transport routes for mini buses. In 2004, a tender was conducted for the routes Avtostantzia ? Micro-district-2, Avtostantzia ? AK-Bulak, Avtostantzia ? Samat, Avtostantzia ? Golbo. The charges to passengers on routes areis agreed with the Town Administration.

There is an airport in the town, where air flights Bishkek-Isfana-Bishkek used to operate, however the airport is not used now, since most of population cannot afford the air fares.

JSC ?Jibek-Jolu?, is involved with carrying passengers and cargo. There is one international route, 5 routes within the oblast (between towns), and nine suburban routes. Volume of transported cargo for 2003 was 24,100 thousands tones.

Transport: buses ? 18, cargo transportation vehicles ? 12, motorcars ? 1, total 31 units. No. of employed people - 81

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Unstable fuel prices

2. Lack of spare parts and component for repairs and maintenance.

3. No funds to renew vehicles. The Aaverage age of a vehicle is between 12-15 years.

4. Runway of Isfana airport requires major repairs.

4.17. Gas Supply

There is no gas supply in the town.

4.18. LAND USE ORGANIZATION AND REAL ESTATE

Registration of rights for real estate is performed by the Leilek Department for Land Use Organization and Registration of Real Estate. The Department consists of two units: land use organization and real estate registration and employ 17 people.

4.19. ENVIRONMENT

Rayon Environment Department overseas the issues of environment protection in the area of Town Administration. In order to improve the town and villages? environment, Town Administrations is always planting trees, creating gardens, and, carries out street and park cleaning. In 2004, ?Araket-Leilek? Ltd through SGP Life Small Grant Program of Local Initiative Fund in Urban Environment under the project ?For Cleanliness of Isfana Environment? won a grant and built 5 new waste pits and cleaned the town garbage dump and built a new one. In general, the environmental conditions comply with normal standards.

There are the following problems: sewage of 16 multi-storey blocks of apartments and rayon hospital in Micro -District 1, where liquid sewage waste has not been removed, it has formed stinking lakes. Therefore the smell in this district is always bad, particularly in summer months. This situation exposes the residents to potential sources of communicable diseases. In addition, this sewage waste seeps into river Isfana through the soil and pollutes the river. Hence, it is required to build a sewage treatment plant or provide a KAMAZ vehicle to pump it out and remove it.

Another environmental problem for Isfana ? is mudflows which flow thru the town every year, often destroying farms and residential houses.

Protection dams have to build alongside the riverbanks.

Significant attention is paid to the town?s appearance and decoration. Production of slogans and posters, and memorials and obelisks are renovated. However, due to insufficient financing many town improvement works are not being implemented.

MAIN PROBLEMS:

1. Lacks of funds for sanitary cleaning, planting trees, and waste removal.

2. No irrigation water for water plants in Micro Districts ?1 and ?2.

3. Lack of funds to control the number of rodents (purchase of poison, traps, etc.).

4. It is necessary to build sewage treatment plant ort to provide special equipment for removal of liquid waste.

5. Construction of gabions alongside Isfana riverbanks, going through Isfana town, villages Ak-Bulak, Chymgen, Samat, Murza ? Patcha, Tailan.

6. Some funds are required in order to plant trees in the town?s streets and parks, to buy young plants, and also irrigation along the roads and pavements.

4.20. CIVIL DEFENCE (CD)

CD of Isfana Town Administration is formed from Town Administration personnel and it is a subordinate of the Rayon CD Department.

5. MAIN INDICATORS OF THE TOWN BUDGET

Actual budget expenditures in 2003 amounted to 11,600,000 soms, including 438,000 soms for utility services. The original approved revenue plan for 2004 was 9,567,000 soms and approved utility expenditures - 200,000 soms.

Actual expenditures in 2004 were 9,052, 600 for 10 months and 8,841,700 was allocated to education.

Revenue Part of the Budget of Isfana Town Administration (thousands soms)

Expenditure Part of Isfana Town Administration (in thousands soms)

6. MUNICIPAL ASSETS

There are 52 assets recorded on the balance sheet of the Town Administration (building, constructions, and communications) with a book value of 32,687,000 soms.

Municipal Property

7. NGOs AND ORGANIZATIONS FORMED BY COMMUNITY

Isfana town is divided into 2 territorial public governance areas: Isfana-1 and Isfana-2, and in addition there are some in the villages of Murza-Patcha, Samat, Chymgen, Tailan, Akbulak and Golbo.

There are 14 registered NGOs: an NGO for Patriotic War veterans ? 1, of Afghanistan War veterans NGO ? 1, Youth NGO - 1, Women NGO ? 1, Refugees NGO ? 1.8 grants and investments were attracted due to the activities of these NGOs.

There are 10 mosques on the territory of Town Administration, including ? 3 in Isfana, 1 in Murza-Patcha, Samat ? 2, Chymgen ? 2, Akbulak ? 1, Golbo ? 1.

There is a Center of Uzbek National Culture.

8. OTHER

There is 1 rayon Kyrgyz language newspaper ?Ata-Zjurt? (published once a week, circulation of 1,500 copies.).

The aim of the development strategy for Isfana and action plan

The aim of the Isfana City Development Strategy and Action Plan (DSAP) is to develop a comprehensive framework for guiding the future development of the city of Isfana to 2015. It covers all aspects that are important to the city and it residents, and not just those aspects under the direct jurisdiction of the City Administration. Therefore, the DSAP actively involved all stakeholders from the community including specialists of the City Administration, the City Council, Territorial Public Self-Government, NGOs and the business community regarding problems, setting priorities and establishing mechanisms by which the city?s resources can be mobilized and the full potential of the city realized.

An aim of the DSAP is to get all organizations and individuals working together to the greater benefit of the community with a shared vision and a shared strategy on how to achieve that vision.

The DSAP is consistent with the complex development base (CDB), National Poverty Alleviation Strategy, National strategy for Decentralization and Further Development to 2015 and National development Program for Isfana for 2001-2010 and Social and Economic Development Program for Isfana 2005 ? 2007.

The Development Strategy is linked to a practical achievable Action Plan. Therefore, the DSAP contains a framework of prioritized activities that must be actioned between now and 2015. This will provide a general framework for the development of the annual budgets and work plans for the City Administration as well as establishing a framework of cooperation and partnership with Territorial Associations, NGOs, the business community and other sectors of the community.

DSAP work process:

To mobilize the community in the planning process can be quite difficult work and requires the commitment and involvement of all interested persons. Firstly an Organizing Committee of 11 members was created. These members were very active and dedicated people representing the City Administration, City Council, city services Department Heads, and the business community. This Organizing Committee represented a kind of ?brain center? and was actively involved in all the activities of the DSAP preparation. The Organizing Committee was supported by a secretariat from the City Administration with support and advice from our partner, the Urban Institute. Prior to starting the strategic planning phase, the secretariat prepared an Isfana City Profile to document the existing conditions in the city to form a factual platform for the planning process.

Following several conferences, the Organizing Committee prepared the first draft of the Vision for Isfana and Local Self-Government (LSG) mission, as well as a preliminary scheme of the Strategy for the implementation of the vision. Afterwards meetings were held with various groups of stakeholders from the city: the business community, NGOs, TOSs, Heads of Services of Isfana, etc. These initial documents were improved and included comments and proposals from various organizations and stakeholders who generously gave their time and effort to prepare the third draft of the strategy.

On April 22^nd, 2005, the Organizing Committee invited experts from the Mayor?s Office of Sulukta, public foundations ?JR? and ?Altyn Ordo? in Batken, Batken rayon Architecture Agency, Leilek?s Public foundation ?For International tolerance? so that they make their contribution into the vision to the DSAP based on their own experiences and to also gain their political and financial support.

The draft DSAP was further discussed and passed at a general meeting of the Kurultai on May 17^th, 2005. Recommendations and proposals offered by participants in the Kurultai were entered to this final draft of the DSAP, which later, along with the list of priority investment projects was approved by the City Council on May 24^th, 2005.

It is vital to get all community sectors of Isfana town involved to complete and realize the DSAP.

The Vision for Isfana is a practical and achievable target up to the year 2015 and reflects the priorities of all the sectors of the community:

VISION FOR THE CITY OF ISFANA TO 2015:

Isfana is a border town with developed trade and industry, it has high standards of education and culture which make it a favorable place for living, and attractive for tourism and investment

In achieving this Vision, we have also clearly defined the Mission of the Local Self Government. We see this mission not only in terms of delivering services to the residents but in actively supporting local economic development and involving the community in a meaningful partnership with the City Government to achieve our Vision.

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT MISSION:

Create favorable conditions for the sustainable development of small to medium businesses by attracting investment, increasing the living standards of residents, maintaining social stability and improving the city environment

The Strategy that is outlined on the following pages is focused around 5 main categories in accordance with their priority:

FRAMEWORK OF THE STRATEGY

1. increase the potential of LSG INSTITUTIONS

2. Resolving social problems

3. Developing and stimulating the economy

4. Improving city infrastructure

5. Improving the environment and preventing natural disasters

Each of these major themes contains several strategic objectives, each of which is linked to an Action Plan that lists practical actions that must be undertaken to achieve the objectives. This includes actions for the City Administration as well as those of all other stakeholders working both individually and in partnership with the city.

ISFANA DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR 2005 ? 2015

1. Increase the potential of LSG Institutions		2. Resolving social problems
1.1. Strengthen the potential of local self-government 1.2. Expand the LSG financial base and attract investment 1.3. Support and development of the local community		2.1.Developing the educational sector 2.2. Healthcare and sports 2.3. Social support and employment 2.4. Culture and leisure
3. Developing and stimulating the economy	4. Improving city infrastructure		5. Improving the environment and preventing natural disasters
3.1. Create food and processing industries 3.2. Develop the agricultural sector 3.3. Develop small to medium business	4.1. Water supply and irrigation networks 4.2. Heating and plumbing networks 4.3. Electricity and natural gas supply 4.4. Roads, bridges and transport 4.5. Communication systems and mass media 4.6. Residential fund and managing solid household waste		5.1. Environmental improvement 5.2. Improving safety and preventing natural disasters

ISFANA DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2005 ? 2015

1. INCREASE THE POTENTIAL OF LSG INSTITUTIONS

Stages

Stakeholders

Potential input and financing

2005 2007

2008 2011

2012 2015

State 1

LSG2

Public3

Busi ness

I?4

State 1

LSG2

Pub lic3

Busi ness

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1.1. Strengthen the potential of local self-government

Create municipal architecture service

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Conduct training for LSG specialists on preparing drafts jointly with NGOs

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Develop and draft the city master plan on an open tender basis

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Establish ?Twining? relationships with border cities of neighboring countries

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Connect the City Administration to the Internet and set up email

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Organize regular exchange with other cities in Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries on economic development, management, decentralization, ecology, build relationships with neighboring countries

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Analyze and assess existing problems in the city jointly with NGOs

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Resolve the problem of issuing permits to individuals for the use of natural resources (sand-pits, sand, clay, stones)

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Stages

Stakeholders

Potential input and financing

2005 2007

2008 2011

2012 2015

State

LSG

Public

Busi ness

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State

LSG

Public

Busi ness

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1.2. Expand the LSG financial base and attract investment

Make the JK of the KR and the Government increase the local budget by keeping 100% of local taxes raised within the town

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Act as a co-founder of joint stock and private companies by providing them with land

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Create joint ventures by attracting investors for processing agricultural products

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Develop systems of micro lending and grants for developing the town?s infrastructure

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Support the work with NGOs. Association of Cities of the KR, Ministry of MSU and other organizations for attracting investors

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1.3. Support and development of the local community

Support the activity of communities by providing them materials, finance, consultancy and other aid

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Strengthen inter-ethnic stability by opening a national and cultural center

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Create an association of businessmen and entrepreneurs

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Create an association to support NGOs

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Organize a marketing service

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Develop condominium systems

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4. Improving city infrastructure

Stages

Stakeholders

Potential input and financing

2005 2007

2008 2011

2012 2015

State

LSG

Public

Busi ness

I?

State

LSG

Public

Busi ness

I?

4.1. Water supply and irrigation networks

Build new water lines to the Micro Districts 1 and 2

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Build a water supply line to the villages Bozogul and Samat

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Build a water supply like to the Micro District Jashtyk

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Reconstruct a water supply similar to that in the old part of Isfana

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Replace the pipes of the deep pumps

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Open a workshop for repairing deep pumps and electrical engines

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Rehabilitate nine underground drinking water supply bore holes

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Repair the irrigation system of the villages that are part of the Isfaninskii City Administration

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4.2. Heating and plumbing networks

Reconstruct the heating network of schools and residential buildings in Micro District-1 and in the town center

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Repair buildings and replace boilers in the boiler house of Micro District-1

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Reconstruct the plumbing network

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Build a new plumbing line in Micro District -1 and in the town center

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Reconstruct the existing heating boiler house

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4.3. Electricity and natural gas supply

Build an electricity supply line to Bozogul village

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Purchase transformer substations so that electricity is supplied to the whole town

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Build a gas supply pipe line from the village Proletarsk, Republic of Tajikistan (45 km long)

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Stages

Stakeholders

Potential input and financing

2005 2007

2008 2011

2012 2015

State

LSG

Public

Busi ness

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State

LSG

Public

Busi ness

I?

4.4. Roads, bridges, transport

Gravel and asphalt roads in Isfana and in the villages included in the Isfana City Council

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Build bridges in villages Samat, Beshbala, Isfana, Tailan and Chimgen

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Purchase mini buses and improve the operation of the public transport

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Create an association of private drivers to provide passenger services to the population

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Build a new bus station in the eastern part of the town

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Rehabilitate the airport and organize charter flights

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Repair and install new traffic lights and signs

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4.5. Communication systems and mass media

Build phone lines to the villages Galba, Ak-Bulak, Samat, Bozogul

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Bring to the town cellular phone operators

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Replace the equipment of the telephone exchanges

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Open television and radio stations

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Repair the television transmission tower and install additional ones in the villages

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Support the material and technical base of the Mass media

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Open an information center and Internet café

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Purchase modern equipment for the printing house of the newspaper Ata-Jurt

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4.6. Residential fund and managing hard household wastes

Reconstruct roofs for multi-storied buildings

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Purchase special equipment and trash containers for cleaning the city

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5. Improving the environment and preventing natural disasters

Stages

Stakeholders

Potential input and financing

2005 2007

2008 2011

2012 2015

State

LSG

Pub lic

Busi ness

I?

State

LSG

Pub lic

Busi ness

I?

.1. Environmental improvement

Conduct cleaning and fencing off of water supply sources

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Organize annual planning of trees in the town

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Regularly hold events on cleaning and planting trees in the city

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5.2. Improve safety and prevent natural disasters

Work out measures to reduce the threat of natural disasters

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Organize clearing a water-fence "Chulgon", to strengthen a protective dam

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Carry out river bank reinforcement works and build gabions along Isfana river

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Conduct annual rodent control measures

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Conduct drainage works

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Build a Bekker pit for the disposal of cattle copses

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Build a mini waste processing plant

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Reconstruct and fence off the solid household waste dump in the western part of Isfana

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1 State ? Public organizations, raion and regional administration

2 Local self-government (City Administration and City Council)

3 Public ? community organizations , non-governmental organizations (NGO), territorial public self-governments (?PSG), and individuals

4 I? ? International organizations