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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

Gambling Legislation Parliament law

Casinos in Kyrgyzstan To Open in State Buildings

The Kyrgyz parliament has passed legislation permitting gambling in state-owned facilities. This new law allows for casino activities within buildings owned by the state or enterprises with government stakes, and aims to attract investment, generate employment, and boost tax revenues. Developed by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and presented to the Cabinet of Ministers, the law overturns previous restrictions by permitting casinos in state-owned hotels to enhance tourism and global competitiveness. Revenues from these casinos will support the development of tourist infrastructure. Historically, gambling was banned entirely in Kyrgyzstan in 2012, but a 2022 law reintroduced it under strict conditions, allowing only foreign nationals to participate. Kyrgyz citizens remain barred from casino entry, and the State Service for Regulation and Supervision of the Financial Market closely oversees operations to ensure compliance.

3 weeks ago

Industry Export/Import Food industry Export CIS

Kyrgyzstan Triples Ice Cream Exports

Kyrgyzstan has doubled its ice cream production in the last five years, and tripled its exports to other countries in the region. Last year, the country produced 10,800 tons of ice cream, up from 5,200 tons five years earlier. This increase is due to growing demand for Kyrgyz ice cream in other Eurasian countries, primarily Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia. Exports to these countries have increased from 2,800 tons per year to 6,100 tons since 2019. “At the same time, imports of ice cream have shown good dynamics recently, and they have decreased from 2,788 tons (per year) to 1,969 tons. This indicates the substitution of imported products with domestic production,” said the Ministry of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic. According to official data, Kyrgyzstan imports ice cream from Turkey, Belarus, and Lithuania. While a kilogram of ice cream from Russia costs 240 KGS ($3), Lithuania and Turkey ask an average of 570 KGS ($7). The cost of one kilogram of ice cream from Kyrgyzstan is just over 200 KGS ($2.5).

4 weeks ago

money tranfer Finance Legislation Government money National Bank

Kyrgyzstan Bans Commissions on Online Transfers

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic (NBRK) has adopted a resolution requiring commercial banks to prohibit commissions on money transfers in the national currency, the som (KGS), within the country. The NBKR said such measures are taken to popularize banking services for the population. “The measure will contribute to ensuring accessibility of banking services for all segments of the population and accelerate the introduction of digital technologies in the banking sector,” the bank said. The NBKR resolution will be in force until the end of 2025. The country's authorities have been popularizing non-cash payments for years. President Sadyr Japarov has stated that such payments would bring the economy out of the shadows. “The development of cashless payments is a step towards modernizing our economy, strengthening financial security, and increasing financial inclusion. We must make the payment process so convenient and simple that even those who are used to cash could not resist the transition to new technologies,” said the head of the Cabinet, Akylbek Japarov, at a government meeting.

4 weeks ago

Silence Legislation Parliament Justice Local politics

Kyrgyzstan to Introduce New Measures to Curb Noise Levels

During a parliamentary session, deputies determined that the Interior Ministry should be authorized to collect fines for excessive noise. According to the republic's law, fines for exceeding acceptable levels of noise were previously issued by the Department of Health Prevention. However, according to the deputies, the department was not properly equipped to measure levels of noise on the streets or on premises. In addition, the department's employees do not work at night, when violations are most likely to occur. “Individuals believe their rights should not be violated if they want to invite a noisy company home to an apartment building at night, put on music, start construction or repair work, or watch television at a volume that exceeds the maximum permissible noise levels. Entertainment or construction work in one apartment can become a nightmare or sleepless nights for many living there. But complaints to the police due to the lack of the necessary law have no proper effect,” said the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry. According to the civil code of offenses, loud noise is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and to 9 a.m. on non-working days and holidays. The only exception is during New Year's Eve celebrations. Violation of the rules in settlements or public places is punishable by a fine of 10 thousand KGS ($120) for individuals and 28 thousand KGS ($330) for legal entities.

4 weeks ago

Economic Growth Government Economy Export statistics

Kyrgyz Economy Is on the Rise

Government statistics and independent analysts note growth in almost all sectors of the Kyrgyz economy The most significant increase is recorded in the construction sector, which in turn, has positively impacted other sectors, such as industrial production, agriculture, and foreign trade. Speaking to The Times of Central Asia, macroeconomics expert Nasirdin Shamshiev remarked: “This year, due to favorable weather, twice as many beets, and one and a half times more barley and wheat were harvested. Due to the high rate of construction of small hydropower plants, the energy sector is also showing good growth. In addition, the production of construction materials has increased, and textile production is growing. Exports for the first eight months of 2024 increased by 13.5%, and imports by 8.1%." According to Shamshiev, the good economic dynamics were influenced by several factors: the strengthening of fiscal rules, fighting corruption and illegal financial flows, and a balanced monetary policy. Earlier, Kyrgyzstan' president Akylbek Japarov, held a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, during which the socio-economic development results for the first nine months of 2024 were summarized. According to Japarov, Kyrgyzstan's GDP grew by 8.4%. However, gold exports, traditionally the economy's leading revenue-generating sector, have declined this year; a situation previously reported by The Times of Central Asia with reference to a decline in production at Kumtor, the country's largest gold mine. According to the Prime Minister's information, 37% of the growth in the construction sector provides an increase in industrial production in Kyrgyzstan. Data also shows that over the past year, following the launch of the Chinese oil refinery Junda near Bishkek, the production of refined petroleum products almost doubled. Hailing the success of recent ventures, Japarov stated: “The growth rate of our economy is nothing short of encouraging. We are now implementing the Leap of the Leopard program and approaching our set ambitious goals and objectives."

1 month ago