The third international donors' conference in Bishkek has resulted in pledges of loans and grants worth $700 million for the period 2003-05. Approximately half that sum is earmarked for Kyrgyzstan's poverty-reduction program. Expressing his appreciation, President Askar Akaev said that sum "surpasses all expectations." He predicted that the financial assistance will enable his country to achieve annual GDP growth of 7 percent over the next three years, rather than 5 percent as originally planned. (RFE/RL)