Business & Economy KG

Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade declines, imports exceed exports

According to the latest figures published by the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the country’s foreign trade continued to decline, with a decrease in both exports and imports. In January-July 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s foreign trade totaled $8.7 billion, 6.4% down compared to the same period in 2024. Exports decreased by 13.3%, amounting to $1.5 billion, and

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International Affairs KG

President Japarov demands lifting western sanctions against Kyrgyz banks

Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov has denounced the politicization of economic cooperation and trade and demanded the lifting of sanctions imposed on two Kyrgyz banks. Speaking at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 23, Japarov stated that Kyrgyzstan is also suffering from the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and

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Business & Economy KG KZ TJK TKM UZB

Central Asian economies to grow 6.1% in 2025, according to EBRD forecast

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) expects the Central Asian economies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to grow by 6.1 per cent on average in 2025, according to its latest Regional Economic Prospects report, published on September 25. This solid growth is supported by strong industrial output, robust domestic demand, investment,

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International Affairs KG KZ TJK TKM UZB

Getting a U.S. visa: facts over feelings

In 2024, the United States of America welcomed 72.39 million tourists, ranking third in the world for attendance. This data is cited in the article “Top 10 Most Visited Countries in the World in 2024” on the Welcome Times website. However, there is no precise information available about the number of tourists from Central Asian

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Business & Economy KG

Kyrgyzstan: EDB and ORTA ASYA Investment Holding partner for hydropower plants construction

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and ORTA ASYA Investment Holding have announced the launch of a strategic partnership to jointly implement large-scale hydropower projects in Kyrgyzstan.  The parties have agreed to cooperate in developing a feasibility study for the Suusamyr-Kokomeren HPP cascade project, which is being financed by the Eurasian Development Bank, and have signed

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International Affairs KG TJK TKM

OSCE chairperson-in-office’s special envoy visits Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, has concluded her official visit to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The aim of the visit was to strengthen OSCE partnerships in the region. In all three countries, Special Envoy Hakala met with representatives of the host country governments, the international community as well as civil society. “It

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Business & Economy KG

Kyrgyzstan: Improving Air Quality project to phase out coal heating in Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Finance has teamed up with local banks for implementing the “Improving Air Quality” project, aimed at supporting the transition of Kyrgyzstani households from coal heating to modern and environmentally friendly types of heating homes. The project received $50 million financing from the International Development Association. $31.8 million of that amount will be

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International Affairs KG UZB

The Fergana–Batken tourist route offers journey in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

In recent years, there has been growing interest among travelers in discovering new destinations and exploring off-the-beaten-path locations. To diversify tourism offerings and increase the duration of tourist stays, a new program entitled “The Fergana–Batken Tourist Ring” has been developed under the “Journey to the Enclaves” initiative. The route includes attractions in both Uzbekistan and

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Business & Economy KG

Kyrgyz bank joins Chinese interbank payment system for yuan settlements

Kyrgyzstan’s state-owned Eldik Bank has become the first bank in Central Asia to join China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) as a direct participant. According to the bank, this strategic step opens up new opportunities for Kyrgyzstan to carry out direct and instant settlements in yuan with Chinese partners and other participants in the system,

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Business & Economy KG

Kyrgyzstan opens airport in Naryn

On September 8, the airport in Naryn, the main city of the Naryn region in central-east Kyrgyzstan, opened after major reconstruction with the launch of regular Bishkek-Naryn-Bishkek flights operated by state-owned Asman Airlines. All regional airports built in Kyrgyzstan in the Soviet time were never repaired until the most recent time, and the Naryn airport

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Business & Economy Eurasia KG KZ TJK TKM UZB

Gulf states emerge as major trading partners of Central Asian countries

The volume of trade between Central Asian countries and the Gulf states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) reached $3.3 billion in 2024, an increase of 4.2 times since 2020, according to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). Imports to Central Asian countries from the Gulf states accounted for 80% of

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Business & Economy KG

Indian company to begin gold production in Kyrgyzstan

India’s Deccan Gold Mines Ltd (DGML) announced significant progress towards production at its Altyn Tor Gold Project in Kyrgyzstan, the first Indian-owned gold production facility in Central Asia, The Times of India reported. The project develops the Solton-Sary deposit, located at an altitude of 3,500-3,600 meters above sea level in the Naryn region, 355 km from

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International Affairs KG

Cold storage and logistics center opened in Kyrgyzstan with KOICA support

The opening of the Fruit and Vegetable Cold Storage and Logistic Center took place on August 29 in the village of Tort-Gul in Kyrgyzstan’s Batken region. The event was attended by representatives of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the NGO Good Neighbors, local government leaders, and community residents. At the opening ceremony, a representative

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International Affairs KG

Kyrgyzstan begins construction of highway to China border

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul region on August 27 for the construction of the Barskoon-Bedel highway, which will link the country to the Bedel checkpoint on the Chinese border, Xinhua reported. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said at the ceremony that the highway will strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s external ties, boost the economy and tourism,

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Business & Economy KG

Kyrgyzstan’s Kumtor launches underground gold mining

On August 27, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov took part in the official ceremony launching the underground gold mining project at the Kumtor mine. The head of state highlighted the importance of this project not only for strengthening the national economy but also for ensuring environmental sustainability. “The underground gold mining project is set to operate

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International Affairs KG

Kyrgyzstan: KOICA and Education Ministry launch project for sustainable future of schoolchildren and local communities

On August 22, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic signed a Record of Discussion on the “Project of Establishment of Sustainable Environment for Enhancing Health and Nutrition in Schools through Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) Program in the Kyrgyz Republic”. Minister of Education Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva, Ambassador of the

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Geo Politics KG KZ

Kazakhstan president visits Kyrgyzstan to cement ties

On August 22 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the 7th meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. At the start of the meeting, Tokayev noted that Kazakhs and Kyrgyz are fraternal peoples linked by a common history and destiny. “Today, relations between the two peoples

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International Affairs KG

KOICA launches $10 million air quality improvement project in Kyrgyzstan

On August 20, a signing ceremony of the Record of Discussions between the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic was held in Bishkek to officially launch the “Air Quality Improvement Project in the Kyrgyz Republic.” The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the

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Geo Politics KG

UK targets Kyrgyz bank, cryptocurrency exchanges for alleged role in sanctions circumvention by Russia

On August 20, the UK government announced a crackdown on Russia’s attempts to avoid western sanctions by exploiting Kyrgyzstan’s financial systems and crypto networks.  According to the UK government, “with sanctions continuing to bite, Russia has turned to the Kyrgyz financial sector to channel money through opaque financial networks, including through the use of cryptocurrencies.

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Business & Economy KG

IFAD, EU and Kompanion Bank to help 800,000 Kyrgyz people turn remittances into financial opportunities

Over 800,000 Kyrgyz people —including migrants, their families, returnees, and aspiring migrant workers—will be transforming remittances, the money sent home by migrant workers, into a powerful financial tool that provides life-changing opportunities thanks to the new partnership announced on August 18 by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Kompanion Bank, one of the largest

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