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Anton Chipegin

Anton was born and grew up in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He worked as a television correspondent, editor and TV presenter on the main television channels of the republic, such as NTS and MIR 24, and also as an economic observer at international news agencies and other media resources of Kyrgyzstan.

Articles

Kyrgyzstan Introduces Law on Compulsory Home and Car Insurance

From September 2024, when re-registering cars, owners must provide a contract on compulsory civil liability insurance. The same applies to real estate. The law was adopted eight years ago, but has been delayed under public pressure. According to the State Insurance Organisation (SIO), the introductory amount of car insurance is 1,680 KGS ($20). The final amount will be affected by driving experience, driver age, and engine displacement. The legal department of the State Insurance Organization explained to The Times of Central Asia that a vehicle's insurance policy will be required when it is re-registered with the state authorities. “Employees of the State Insurance Organization are at the places of registration of motor vehicles throughout the country and will issue MTPL insurance policies on the spot. The average amount of MTPL insurance for passenger cars will range from 2,000 to 4,000 KGS ($25-45),” said Ulukbek Nishonov, head of the legal department of the State Insurance Organization. Fifteen private insurance organizations will also insure cars. The law on compulsory car insurance in Kyrgyzstan was adopted more than eight years ago. Nevertheless, no sanctions have been imposed for non-compliance with the law. Most Kyrgyz motorists considered compulsory insurance a “waste of money.” Now, the authorities have figured out how to force everyone to insure their cars, even those without insurance policies or car registration. At the same time, ordinary citizens will not be fined for the lack of insurance. Officials claim that compulsory insurance is a social project. It is worth noting that the law on compulsory real estate insurance also came into force on August 26, 2024. Here, just as in the case of car insurance, citizens will be obliged to insure their property against fire and natural disasters only when re-registering housing. In other cases, it can be done voluntarily. At the same time, the state holds a monopoly on residential property insurance.

4 months ago

National Bank of Kyrgyzstan Comments on Suspension of Money Transfers with Russia

In regard to the suspension by some Kyrgyz banks of money transfers between Kyrgyzstan and Russia, the National Bank explained to The Times of Central Asia that second-tier banks are working to prevent the negative impact of international sanctions. “To minimize the risk of secondary sanctions, measures are taken to strengthen control over clients and counterparties, to conduct thorough checks to ensure that they are not on the sanctions lists,” said representatives of the financial regulator, before adding that the National Bank is remotely supervising compliance with international sanctions. All commercial banks in Kyrgyzstan must check their counterparties in adherence to the policy “know your client,” and request documents from clients confirming the origin of funds. It should be noted that money transfers between Kyrgyzstan and Russia are still carried out through ruble details of other Russian banks, which have not fallen under sanctions. In addition, it is possible to transfer funds through money transfer systems. On June 12, 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added the Moscow Exchange, the Russian Center, and the National Settlement Depository National Cleari to its sanctions list. As a result, trading in the U.S. dollar and euro was halted at the Moscow Exchange. Then, eight commercial banks from Kyrgyzstan restricted their work to Russian money transfer systems. But after a few days, work with Russian-sanctioned banks was resumed. In April this year, Kyrgyzstan stopped accepting Russian MIR cards due to the risk of secondary sanctions. Later, the head of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, said that once a processing center is created, they will continue to work with Russian banking systems. Currently, the Interbank Processing Center of Kyrgyzstan is serviced by a Latvian company providing work software.

5 months ago

Issyk-Kul Climate Change Climate Emergency Floods Emergency

Villages Evacuated After Lake Bursts in Kyrgyzstan

On August 21, 2024, a mountain lake, Zyndan, burst in the Ton district of the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. This caused a sharp rise in the water level in the Ton River and led to flooding of nearby settlements, including Tuura-Suu village and a section of the Tuura-Suu - Temir-Kanat highway. A state of emergency was declared due to the threat of flooding. More than 400 residents of Tuura-Suu village were evacuated and temporarily accommodated in schools in the neighboring towns of Eshperov and Ak-Sai. Using special equipment, rescuers and local authorities channeled Lake Zyndan's waters into the Ton River bed to prevent further destruction. Ministry of Emergency Situations officials, police, and local government officials are continuing to monitor the situation around the clock. Two excavators and three loaders, as well as other necessary equipment to repair the consequences of the breach, are involved in the operation. The breach was caused by intense precipitation and glacial melt, which increased pressure on the lake and led to its erosion. This event attracted the attention of local authorities and international organizations concerned about climate change and its impact on the region. Yesterday, TCA reported on a meeting between the heads of the national emergency departments of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan which was held last week in Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul, which was aimed at broadening cooperation. Following this meeting, powerful mudslides caused by heavy rain struck the region once again, flooding the streets of Cholpon-Ata.

5 months ago

More Mudflows Flood Homes in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Region

Powerful mudslides caused by heavy rains are again causing damage in Kyrgyzstan's northern Issyk-Kul region. A state of emergency has been declared in three districts. The mudflows descended in several locations in the south and north of the Issyk-Kul region, flooding highways and mountain passes. In the town of Cholpon-Ata, water from the canal has reportedly flooded the streets. Several resorts and vacation homes have also been flooded, and there are power outages in the region. Eyewitnesses have reported that Lake Issyk-Kul has turned green. It is known that dozens of people have been evacuated from the flooded areas. Seven hundred fifty-five rescuers and military personnel are clearing up the damage, but heavy rains are still forecast for the coming days. Other parts of Kyrgyzstan, such as Naryn and Jalal-Abad in the center of the country, are also susceptible to mudflows. “We urge citizens to be vigilant and observe precautionary measures,” rescuers have appealed to citizens.

5 months ago

Tourism Nature Extreme Sports Silk Road Mountain Race

International Cyclists Take on Kyrgyz Peaks in Silk Road Mountain Race

More than 170 athletes from 40 countries are participating in Kyrgyzstan's annual Silk Road Mountain Race. The route this year will take competitors over many of the country's dramatic mountain passes, and past the largest lakes of Son-Kul, Chatyr-Kul, and Issyk-Kul. Riding 1,938 kilometers in total, cyclists will have to traverse 14 mountain passes, and part of the route will be at an altitude of more than 3,500 feet. The race started in Bishkek, and will end in a few weeks' time in Cholpon-Ata. Competitors must carry everything they need with them, such as tents and sleeping bags, food, water, and spare bicycle parts. “This is the best advertisement for our tourism potential. It is gratifying that its popularity and the number of participants, including among Kyrgyz people, is growing yearly,” said Edil Baisalov, deputy chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers. Baisalov said that hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are watching the race. The Silk Road Mountain Race is a multi-day bicycle race in inaccessible mountainous terrain. Athletes compete on endurance, riding through mountain passes and old trails. The marathon route changes every year, but the goal remains the same.

5 months ago