Kyrgyzstan - The Times Of Central Asia

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Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Considers Potato Export Ban

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry is considering a temporary ban on potato exports to prevent unjustified price increases. On February 1, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobayev instructed the Antimonopoly Regulation Service and local authorities to closely monitor food prices. Government Efforts to Stabilize Prices Speaking on Birinchi Radio, Torobayev noted that on February 3, the wholesale price of potatoes in Osh, the country’s second-largest city, had reached 60 KGS (about $0.68) per kilogram. However, after government intervention, prices stabilized at 49 KGS (about $0.56) by the evening of the same day. In the capital, Bishkek, retail potato prices currently range from 55 to 58 KGS (about $0.65) per kilogram. Torobayev assured that Kyrgyzstan has sufficient potato reserves, with farmers storing supplies while intermediaries inflate market prices - at times reaching 75 KGS per kilogram. Potential Export Ban and Market Outlook The government is now considering restricting potato exports. Torobayev urged farmers to sell their produce rather than wait for higher prices, warning that an early spring could lead to an earlier-than-usual harvest, potentially affecting market rates. Kyrgyzstan’s move follows a similar decision in neighboring Kazakhstan, where The Times of Central Asia previously reported that rising potato prices prompted authorities to impose a six-month restriction on exports to non-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries.

Bilateral Relations

Japarov Highlights China as Key Trade and Investment Partner for Kyrgyzstan

Ahead of his state visit to China, which began on February 4, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov highlighted the strategic partnership between the two countries in an interview with Xinhua news agency. He described China as one of Kyrgyzstan’s main trade and investment partners. The full interview was published on Japarov’s official website. Strengthening Bilateral Ties Japarov underscored the value of the long-standing comprehensive strategic partnership between Kyrgyzstan and China. "In recent years, our countries have significantly strengthened mutual trust and built a relationship based on good neighborliness, friendship, and productive cooperation," he said. One of the most significant projects in Kyrgyz-Chinese cooperation is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, officially launched in Kyrgyzstan on December 27, 2024. Japarov emphasized that the railway aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative and reflects the high level of political trust between the three countries. "This route is more than just a transport corridor. It will facilitate the delivery of goods from China to Kyrgyzstan and further to Central Asia, the Middle East, Turkey, Europe, and beyond. It will also allow our products to reach South and Southeast Asia," he stated. Expanding Economic Cooperation Japarov reiterated that China has long been one of Kyrgyzstan’s key trade and investment partners. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $22.71 billion. He expressed support for expanding Kyrgyz-Chinese economic cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, the processing industry, energy, and environmental protection. He also advocated for increased collaboration between regions, the creation of a banking and financial platform, and the development of e-commerce. Enhancing Trade and Border Connectivity To improve trade efficiency, Kyrgyzstan and China are working to increase the transit capacity of the two existing border checkpoints - Torugart and Irkeshtam. Japarov also expressed hope that opening a third border checkpoint at Bedel would further boost trade flows between China and Central Asia. He noted that trade and economic cooperation have accelerated, as seen in the extended working hours at the Torugart and Irkeshtam checkpoints. Previously, the Chinese side operated these crossings for eight hours a day, five days a week. However, in 2024, they transitioned to 14-hour operations, seven days a week. "Since March 1, 2024, the Kyrgyz side has switched to a round-the-clock working schedule at both Torugart and Irkeshtam. We expect our Chinese partners to follow suit," Japarov said. Agricultural and Digital Trade Initiatives Japarov also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote the export of Kyrgyzstan’s environmentally friendly agricultural products to China. Additionally, both countries are implementing the Two Countries, Two Parks project in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region, linking the Kashgar (China) and Naryn (Kyrgyzstan) free economic zones. The initiative aims to enhance e-commerce between Kyrgyzstan and China’s Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region.

City Planning

Shopping Center May Be Built Beneath Bishkek’s Ala-Too Square

Bishkek authorities are moving forward with plans to reconstruct the Manas monument and the underground space beneath it in Ala-Too Square, the capital’s central public space. According to the Bishkek Mayor’s Office, the 1,500-square-meter area beneath the monument is currently unused. According to tender documents published on the government procurement website, the basement beneath Ala-Too Square is set to be redeveloped into retail space. The estimated cost of the reconstruction project is KGS 1.8 million ($20,600). “We want to renovate the basement area - it has been in a dilapidated state since 1983 due to lack of maintenance. As for the future, we are considering various possibilities for the space. However, it is important to clarify that the Manas monument will not be removed,” Bishkek Mayor’s Office spokeswoman Nazgul Zhamgyrchieva told reporters. Despite this reassurance, some Bishkek residents remain concerned, particularly since the Manas monument has already been removed from its pedestal as part of the reconstruction. Many fear it may not be returned to its original place. The monument to Manas, a symbol of Kyrgyzstan’s national heritage, has stood in Ala-Too Square since 2011. Alongside the White House, the National Historical Museum, and the national flag, it forms part of Bishkek’s so-called "marble center", a key landmark in the capital.

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Builds National Center for Aquaculture and Fisheries Development

Construction of Kyrgyzstan’s National Center for the Development of Aquaculture and Fisheries is underway in the village of Bokonbaevo on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The project is a joint initiative of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry and the Korea Maritime Institute. The center will provide training in fish farming technologies for farmers, students, and researchers. According to the ministry, a well has been drilled to a depth of 180 meters, and pumping equipment and water purification systems have been installed to supply water for the center’s incubation workshop. The facility is scheduled for completion by December 2026. It will include fish incubation workshops, laboratories, residential quarters, a canteen, and other necessary infrastructure. The center is designed to boost Kyrgyzstan’s fishing industry. Currently, the country produces about 30,000 tons of fish annually, of which only 5,000 tons are exported. However, experts estimate that Kyrgyzstan has the capacity to produce up to 105,000 tons and export 50,000 tons of fish. According to official statistics, in 2023, Kyrgyzstan produced 33,600 tons of fish and exported 5,556 tons of fish and fish products, mainly to Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Lithuania. Fish farming in Kyrgyzstan, particularly trout production, is carried out in artificial ponds and fishery farms at lakes Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul.

Migration

Russia May Impose Stricter Rules on Central Asian Migrants

New immigration regulations in Russia could affect millions of Central Asian migrants. A proposed bill from the Russian Ministry of Education would require migrant children to pass a Russian language test. Those who fail would be required to enroll in a three-month language program, funded by their parents. If a child does not attend the required language classes, regional authorities will investigate the family’s living conditions and report the case to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Parents who fail to ensure their child meets the language requirements could face administrative penalties. As of September 1, 2024, nearly four million Central Asian migrants were officially living in Russia. With tightening immigration policies in Russia, the challenges facing Central Asian migrant workers continue to grow. According to a recent survey by the FOCUS Alliance of Euro-Asian Sociologists, most Kyrgyz citizens believe that working conditions for migrants in Russia will worsen significantly in the near future.

Environment

Kyrgyz Authorities Aim to Improve Air Quality in Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, Meder Mashiev, has outlined plans to tackle air pollution in Bishkek. Speaking at a meeting with representatives of an interdepartmental commission tasked with addressing environmental issues, Mashiev announced that the government is prepared to issue interest-free loans for environmental projects, with a particular focus on improving air quality in the capital. Bishkek ranks among the worst cities globally for air pollution, placing fifth from the bottom in terms of air quality. According to some reports, funding for these projects will come from the World Bank. Similar loan programs are expected to be introduced in the cities of Jalal-Abad and Osh. As part of efforts to combat pollution, the Ministry of Natural Resources is considering building facilities to process coal from the Kara-Keche open-pit mine in Naryn Oblast. This coal is used to heat most of Bishkek, including its thermal power plant. Many environmentalists argue that the primary cause of the city's poor air quality is the widespread use of coal for heating by private households. “In addition, the use of nanotechnology to improve air quality is being explored, including the installation of catalytic converters on vehicles,” the ministry stated. Separately, Mashiev met with members of Kyrgyzstan’s scientific community to discuss the role of research in addressing air pollution. He emphasized that science should play a key role in developing solutions and pledged to allocate funding for research on the issue. Experts at the meeting urged the ministry to conduct a comprehensive study of the problem, including an analysis of the impact of vehicle emissions compared to coal burning.