OSCE Centre hosts meeting on dispute resolution for business in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 21 September 2005 - More than 40 businessmen and lawyers took part today in an OSCE-sponsored seminar in Bishkek on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms at the national level.

The event, hosted by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the International Court of Arbitration and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyzstan focused on issues such as arbitration clauses and proceedings, the execution of arbitral awards and arbitration fees and expenses.

"Access to alternative dispute-resolution systems, which investors believe to be efficient and impartial, is important for the economic development of a transitional economy such as Kyrgyzstan's," said Asim Acikel, the Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The Chairman of the International Court of Arbitration in affiliation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyzstan, Temirbek Kenenbaev, said: "Increasing the awareness amongst businesmen and lawyers about the availability of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is crucial. They will benefit from third party arbitration for their invesments and contracts in Kyrgyzstan."

As a result of the OSCE initiative on alternative dispute resolution, Kyrgyzstan now has a legally-based, operational institution to ensure proper application of dispute resolution.