Prime Minister Felix Kulov signed a resolution to attract investment for the reconstruction of the airport on the coast of the alpine Lake of Issyk-Kul to permit it to service long-range aircraft, and to step up the development of the Issyk-Kul Region.
The winning investor will be obliged to extend the runway and taxiway, make the apron capable of accommodating at least six Tu-154 airliners, build up the airport's infrastructure and install the necessary avionic and lighting equipment.
The authorities are also seeking to solve a number of the region's social and economic problems through the five-year project. They suggest that the investor funnel at least one million dollars into the region's budget for infrastructure and environmental needs in the first year, regardless of profit.
The government also said that no less than 90% of the reconstruction and maintenance jobs to be created must be offered to the local population.
The winner of the tender will be assigned 400 hectares of land in the Karakol free economic zone bordering on the lake.
