Our People > Sergey Kwan

Sergey Kwan

Journalist

Sergey Kwan has worked for The Times of Central Asia as a journalist, translator and editor since its foundation in March 1999. Prior to this, from 1996-1997, he worked as a translator at The Kyrgyzstan Chronicle, and from 1997-1999, as a translator at The Central Asian Post.
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Kwan studied at the Bishkek Polytechnic Institute from 1990-1994, before completing his training in print journalism in Denmark.

Articles

Chess

Kyrgyzstan Chess Development a Priority Says Japarov

Kyrgyzstan chess development is a priority of state social policy, according to a decree signed by the country's president, Sadyr Japarov. Through measures such as after school clubs and training a new generation of teachers, Kyrgyzstan to the sport known as the "Game of Kings". The decree, titled “On Urgent Measures for the Development and Popularization of Chess in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2026-2030,” calls for creating conditions to broaden access to chess and strengthen the country’s system for training players and coaches. Under the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Kyrgyz Chess Union have been tasked with drafting a National Program for the Development and Popularization of Chess by September 1, 2026. A Chess Development Fund is also envisaged to provide financial backing for the sport. One of the centerpiece projects is “Chess in Schools,” a pilot program that will introduce after-school chess clubs at 500 schools across the country for students in Grades 3-5 . The decree also establishes annual presidential awards for the country’s best chess player and best chess coach, with nominees to be proposed by the Kyrgyz Chess Union. The initiative has been welcomed by Aida Salyanova, the newly elected president of the Kyrgyz Chess Union and a former prosecutor general of Kyrgyzstan. Salyanova said government support creates an opportunity to turn chess into one of Kyrgyzstan’s intellectual brands and a tool for developing strategic thinking, discipline, and decision-making skills amongst young people. In a statement published after her election on May 23, she described state support for chess as an investment in human capital rather than merely support for a sport. “Chess should become part of the country’s modern educational, digital, and intellectual environment,” Salyanova said, adding that the long-term goal is to create a sustainable system extending from school chess programs to international competitive success. Kyrgyzstan has an active chess scene, though it remains a modest player internationally. At the 2025 national championship, the open title was won by International Master Eldiyar Orozbaev, while Woman FIDE Master Begimai Zairbek Kyzy won the women’s event. Five of the top 10 finishers in the open tournament were under 20, suggesting the country already has a young competitive base on which the new program can build. The decree comes as chess is attracting wider attention across Central Asia. Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov won the elite Tata Steel Chess Tournament in the Netherlands in early 2026 and later rose to fourth in the live world rankings after victory at the Prague Chess Festival Masters. Kazakhstan has also been investing in chess education, including through KazChessLab, a program designed to train chess teachers for secondary schools.

2 months ago

$60 Million Project to Bring Clean Drinking Water to 158,000 People in Southern Kyrgyzstan

More than 158,000 residents of Kyrgyzstan’s southern Osh Region are expected to gain access to clean drinking water under a new infrastructure project backed by the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD). The project was agreed during talks between Kyrgyz authorities and EFSD representatives, according to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry. The EFSD will provide a $60 million loan for the initiative, while the government will contribute $6.7 million in co-financing, bringing the total project cost to $66.7 million. The project will target 32 villages in the Kara-Suu and Uzgen districts of Osh Region, one of the country’s most densely populated areas. According to the ministry, only about 65% of the region’s population currently has access to safe drinking water. Approximately 158,000 residents continue to rely on aging water systems built between the 1950s and 1980s or on unsafe water sources. The project includes the construction and rehabilitation of more than 890 kilometers of water supply and distribution networks, the drilling of 33 artesian wells, the construction of 54 water reservoirs, and the installation of 11 pumping stations. Authorities say the upgrades will provide a stable and safe water supply to participating communities. The initiative also includes sanitation improvements, with 95 sanitation facilities in schools, kindergartens, and primary healthcare facilities scheduled for renovation. The project is expected to be implemented over five years, with the financing agreement due to be signed by the end of June. Access to clean drinking water remains one of Kyrgyzstan’s most pressing infrastructure challenges, particularly in rural areas. According to Bakyt Torobaev, who previously served as deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and minister of water resources, agriculture, and processing industry, the country requires approximately $1.2 billion in investment to resolve drinking water supply issues in 960 villages nationwide. Government data show that of Kyrgyzstan’s 2,014 villages, only 796 currently have reliable access to clean drinking water. Water supply systems are under construction in 258 villages, while 960 communities remain without adequate service.

2 months ago

Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Boosts Kazakhstan’s Middle Corridor Role

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway entered full-scale operation on June 2, a development expected to increase freight transport along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and support Kazakhstan’s role as a key transit hub between China and Europe. The railway is a joint strategic project of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey and serves as one of the main overland links connecting Central Asia with European markets through the South Caucasus. The 827-kilometer line has been operating at limited capacity since 2017. Full commercial operation became possible following the completion of rehabilitation and construction work on the Marabda-Kartsakhi section in Georgia. According to Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the project included the construction and modernization of bridges, railway stations, overpasses, traction substations, a cross-border rail tunnel linking Georgia and Turkey, and upgrades to the Akhalkalaki International Railway Station, one of the corridor’s key logistics hubs. The completion of the project is expected to increase the railway’s annual cargo-handling capacity to 5 million metric tons, allowing it to accommodate growing freight volumes moving between Asia and Europe. “The full-scale operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is an important event not only for Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, but for the entire region and Central Asia,” Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili said during the inauguration ceremony. She described the railway as a critical transport link connecting Europe, Central Asia, and China. According to Kvrivishvili, container traffic through Georgia involving China and Kazakhstan increased by 33% in 2025, while the number of containers transported along the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route was nearly six times higher than in the previous year. Kazakhstan was represented at the ceremony by Deputy Transport Minister Zhanibek Taizhanov, showing the strategic importance Astana places on the corridor. Authorities in Kazakhstan view the full launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway as a significant step in developing the country’s transit potential and improving logistics links between China, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. The railway forms a key component of the Middle Corridor, which has gained increasing attention in recent years as governments and logistics companies seek alternatives to traditional Eurasian trade routes.

2 months ago

Uzbekistan-Born Mansurova Named EBRD Regional Head for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has named Nodira Mansurova as its next regional head for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, putting her in charge of operations in three Central Asian markets where the bank has invested more than €2.5 billion combined. Mansurova will be based in Bishkek and is expected to take up the post on September 1, 2026. She will replace Ayten Rustamova, who has led the regional office since 2021. The appointment gives Mansurova oversight of one of the EBRD’s more varied regional portfolios in Central Asia. As of March 31, 2026, the bank’s cumulative investment stood at €1.177 billion in Kyrgyzstan, €1.059 billion in Tajikistan, and €327 million in Turkmenistan. The three countries present different operating environments for the bank. In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, EBRD activity has included infrastructure, private-sector development, financial services, and energy-related projects. In Turkmenistan, the bank’s work has been more limited and has focused mainly on private businesses and financial-sector activity. Mansurova has worked for the EBRD since 2001. Born in Uzbekistan and now a British citizen, she has held roles in London and in several countries where the bank operates. Her previous posts included regional head of SME Finance and Development for Central Asia, based in Almaty, and head of the EBRD’s operations in Tunisia. Her new role comes as international financial institutions continue to focus on infrastructure, energy transition, private-sector growth, and regional connectivity in Central Asia.

2 months ago

Investment Zone

Kyrgyzstan’s New Investment Zone at Issyk-Kul Opens First Business Center

The Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory (Tamchy SFIT), a newly established investment zone operating under its own legal framework, is opening its first business center on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. The zone also includes an independent international dispute-resolution center based on English common law. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the new facility will house the offices of the Tamchy zone’s management company, which is preparing to begin the territory’s operations. The company will be responsible for registering resident businesses and overseeing licensing, as well as managing infrastructure development within the zone. The 3,850-square-meter business center includes office and co-working spaces, multifunctional conference halls, and meeting rooms. A restaurant and café are also expected to open in the near future. Tamchy SFIT covers approximately 6,000 hectares along the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Companies registered in the zone will be able to operate under English common law, benefit from a zero-tax regime for 49 years, and freely repatriate 100% of their profits. By 2035, the authorities expect the investment territory to host more than 3,900 companies and create more than 10,000 jobs. The zone is intended to attract both domestic and foreign investment, improve Kyrgyzstan’s investment climate, and stimulate growth in key sectors, including manufacturing, tourism, wellness services, and transport infrastructure. “The Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory has emerged at a time when international businesses are actively seeking new points of trust,” said Kyrgyz Justice Minister Ayaz Baetov, who chairs the territory’s Management Council. “The opening of this first business center marks the beginning of the territory’s operational life. We are building financial and logistical bridges between the markets of the CIS, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, and today this bridge has its first address, where active preparations are already underway to welcome the first residents.” Ahead of the opening, the Management Council established the zone’s management company, approved its development strategy, and adopted the first package of regulatory documents governing operations within the territory. At the same time, the selection process is underway for the chairman and judges of the International Center for Dispute Resolution. The center will adjudicate investment-related disputes within the Tamchy zone under English common law, a legal system based on judicial precedent that is widely used in major global financial hubs such as London, Dubai, and Singapore. The dispute-resolution center is being established by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Justice with support from the British Embassy in Bishkek. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the initiative is part of Kyrgyzstan’s effort to create an English law-based legal framework designed to enhance investor confidence and align the country’s investment environment with international standards.

2 months ago

Kyrgyzstan Eyes Role in Trans-Caspian Green Power Route

Kyrgyzstan has signaled interest in taking part in the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor, a regional initiative aimed at expanding renewable electricity links across the Caspian region. The issue was discussed during a meeting between Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev on the sidelines of Baku Energy Week on June 1. The ministers said the project would help integrate regional energy systems, strengthen energy security, and facilitate access to new markets for electricity generated from renewable sources. Ibraev said Kyrgyzstan’s hydropower potential and its role within the Unified Energy System of Central Asia made it a logical participant in the initiative. He added that Kyrgyzstan’s involvement would enhance the sustainability and reliability of green electricity supplies along the Caspian route. Kyrgyzstan currently faces seasonal electricity shortages and relies on imports to meet domestic demand. However, authorities expect the country to generate significant exportable surpluses once several large hydropower projects, including the long-delayed Kambarata-1 dam, are completed. The ministers also discussed fuel cooperation. The Kyrgyz side proposed increasing imports of Azerbaijani diesel as the country seeks alternatives amid rising prices for fuel traditionally supplied from Russia. The Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor is one of several flagship projects aimed at strengthening energy connectivity between Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and European markets. Speaking at the Investment Forum on Energy Transition in Central Asia, held during Baku Energy Week and organized jointly by the International Renewable Energy Agency and Azerbaijan’s Energy Ministry, Shahbazov described the initiative as a key component of regional energy integration. According to Shahbazov, a strategic partnership agreement previously signed by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan laid the foundation for the development of a Trans-Caspian Energy Corridor. “The establishment of the strategically important Trans-Caspian energy corridor, which will interconnect the power systems of our countries, is fully aligned with the key priorities of this policy,” Shahbazov said. He added that the project could also strengthen the Middle Corridor by creating a green energy link connecting Europe with Asia and China via the Caspian Sea. Shahbazov said the feasibility study for the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor is expected to be completed by July 2026, while the feasibility study for the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor is scheduled for completion in May 2027.

2 months ago

Kyrgyzstan’s Microloan Market Expands as Borrower Numbers More Than Double

The volume of microloans issued in Kyrgyzstan rose sharply in the first quarter of 2026, while the number of borrowers more than doubled, highlighting the growing role of digital lending in the country’s financial sector. Microcredit organizations issued loans worth more than $263 million to approximately 807,000 borrowers between January and March, according to data from the National Statistics Committee. The total value of microloans increased by 23% compared with the same period a year earlier, while the number of recipients more than doubled. The growth was driven largely by the expansion of short-term online lending services. Consumer loans accounted for the largest share of lending activity, making up 63% of all microloans issued. Loans for agricultural development represented more than 16% of the total, while lending to trade and catering businesses accounted for more than 9%. Bishkek accounted for the largest share of borrowers, with around 46% of all microloan recipients nationwide. The Chui region represented 12% of recipients, followed by the Osh region at about 10% and the Jalal-Abad region at 9.5%. The figures show the increasing importance of microfinance in Kyrgyzstan, where access to credit has expanded rapidly through digital platforms and non-bank financial institutions The expansion of the sector has also prompted regulators to tighten consumer protection measures. In November 2025, Kyrgyzstan introduced a voluntary self-restriction mechanism that allows individuals to block loans or credit products from being issued in their name. The measure was designed to combat fraud involving stolen or forged identity documents. Under the regulation, banks and microfinance institutions must check whether a customer has activated such a restriction before approving a loan. The rest of the financial sector also expanded. As of the end of March 2026, Kyrgyzstan had 483 financial institutions in operation, including the National Bank, 24 commercial banks, and 439 non-bank financial organizations, according to the National Statistics Committee. The number of client accounts across the financial sector exceeded 23 million, nearly 6 million more than a year earlier. Most of the increase came from the banking sector, which added approximately 5.7 million client accounts. Financial institutions reported combined profits of more than $400 million in the first quarter, more than double the level recorded during the same period of 2025. The National Bank posted the largest increase in earnings during the period.

2 months ago

FAO

New FAO Project Aims to Strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s Aquaculture Sector

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry have launched a new initiative designed to strengthen the country’s aquaculture sector and improve the sustainability of fish production. The project, Sustainable Fish Value Chains for Landlocked Developing Countries, is funded by South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. It aims to improve the sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness of fish value chains in Kyrgyzstan, with a particular focus on rainbow trout and carp, two species identified as having strong potential for growth and income generation. The project was officially launched during an inception workshop held in Bishkek on May 29. Government officials, industry representatives, academics, and development partners reviewed the preliminary findings of a value-chain assessment and discussed priorities for the sector’s future development. “Aquaculture holds significant potential for improving food security, creating jobs, and supporting rural livelihoods,” said Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan. “This new project reflects our commitment to work with national partners to unlock that potential through sustainable and inclusive value chain development.” FAO experts presented initial findings on market opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability performance across Kyrgyzstan’s trout and carp industries. Participants discussed key challenges facing the sector and identified priority areas for future investment and policy support. “By improving how fish moves from farms to markets, this initiative will help unlock new opportunities for producers, strengthen value addition, and support the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the aquaculture sector in Kyrgyzstan,” said Jalilbek Toimatov, Director of the Fisheries Industry Complex Department under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry. As a landlocked country with abundant freshwater resources, including lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, Kyrgyzstan has considerable untapped potential for aquaculture development. The project aims to strengthen fish value chains, increase incomes for producers and related businesses, create jobs in rural communities, and contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems. Aquaculture has been developing rapidly in Kyrgyzstan in recent years. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, commercial fish production reached 4,029 metric tons in the first quarter of 2026, while 545 fish farms were operating nationwide. The largest share of production came from Chui Region in northern Kyrgyzstan, which produced 2,206 tons of fish across 398 farms. It was followed by Jalal-Abad Region with 962 tons from 39 farms, Issyk-Kul Region with 311 tons from 48 farms, Naryn Region with 243 tons from 34 farms, Talas Region with 195 tons from 15 farms, and Osh Region with 110 tons from 11 farms. The ministry says it is continuing efforts to modernize aquaculture production, introduce advanced farming technologies, increase the supply of high-quality fish products to the domestic market, and expand export opportunities for the sector. The FAO initiative is expected to support those goals by helping Kyrgyz producers improve efficiency, meet market requirements, and build a more competitive and environmentally sustainable aquaculture industry.

2 months ago

Kyrgyzstan Coal Industry Tilts Toward China

Kyrgyzstan coal is increasingly destined for China, as the country seeks to develop new transport links and infrastructure to grow exports to its western neighbour. A new coal cleaning and enrichment line has begun operating at the Torugart-1 deposit in Naryn Region, near the Kyrgyz-Chinese border. The project is being implemented jointly by state-owned coal company Kyrgyzkomur and the Chinese company Dun-Sen. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy, the new equipment is intended to improve coal quality and reduce the environmental impact associated with coal extraction and preparation. The agreement to jointly develop the Torugart-1 deposit was signed on May 13, 2025. Geological surveys confirmed reserves of approximately 423,400 tons of coal within a 54-hectare mining area. The deposit is being developed through open-pit mining, with production expected to exceed 100,000 tons in 2026. The Chinese company has invested around $2 million in the project. “The launch of such facilities is strategically important for ensuring energy security, supplying the domestic market with high-quality coal, and supporting regional development,” Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev said. Torugart-1 began operations in November 2025. Shortly after its launch, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev visited the site and instructed officials to ensure stable operations while accelerating the start of coal exports through the Torugart border crossing with China. The development of Torugart-1 forms part of a broader strategy aimed at expanding Kyrgyz coal exports to China. On May 20, 2026, officials launched a separate Kyrgyz-Chinese logistics project valued at $430 million in the village of Nura in Osh Region. The project is being implemented through a partnership between Kyrgyzkomur and China’s Xinjiang Dacheng Yuanlong Technology. Its main objective is to facilitate coal exports from the Tekelik deposit through the Irkeshtam border crossing with China. The planned logistics hub will occupy a 10-hectare site and include two coal processing plants, as well as a conveyor-belt transportation system designed to move coal directly toward export routes. Once completed, the infrastructure is expected to handle up to 10 million tons of coal annually. The first phase includes construction of a 7.7-kilometer conveyor line, with long-term plans calling for an extension of up to 157 kilometers. Kyrgyzstan’s push to expand coal production coincides with growing demand for Kyrgyz coal in China. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, coal shipments to China have been rising, with the Torugart and Irkeshtam border crossings serving as the main export corridors. On December 3, 2025, the Kyrgyz government introduced a six-month ban on coal exports by road in an effort to stabilize domestic supplies and prices. The coal push comes as Kyrgyzstan looks for ways to ease pressure on its power system, which remains heavily dependent on hydropower and vulnerable to winter shortages when electricity and heating demand rise. However, the restrictions did not apply to exports passing through the Torugart and Irkeshtam border crossings, highlighting the delicate diplomacy involved in Kyrgyzstan's dealings with Beijing. The projects are significant for Kyrgyzkomur and for cross-border trade with China, although...

2 months ago

Kyrgyzstan Logistics Center Aims to Link China and Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan has opened a new international trade and logistics center designed to strengthen transport links between China, Central Asia and wider post-Soviet markets, as Bishkek seeks to expand its role as a regional transit hub. The new facility, Altyn Logistic, officially opened on May 28 in the city of Balykchy, at the western end of Lake Issyk-Kul. The 5.5 hectare logistics center includes warehouses, a railway line with loading and unloading infrastructure, and a large open parking area. According to officials, the complex is capable of handling up to 200 trucks per day and is expected to create around 80 jobs. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kyrgyzstan’s Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev said the country is seeking to grow its transit and logistics potential due to its strategic position along international transport corridors. “The center is located on one of the key routes of the Silk Road, and I am confident that it will effectively function as a major logistics hub linking China, Central Asian countries and CIS states,” Kasymaliev said. The choice of Balykchy is strategically important as the city already serves as a transport junction in northern Kyrgyzstan. Located at the western end of Lake Issyk-Kul, it is the final stop on the railway line from Bishkek and sits on the road corridor running from the capital toward Naryn and the Torugart Pass on the Chinese border. Balykchy is also the starting point for the Balykchy-Kochkor-Kara-Keche railway, a 186-kilometer line under construction since 2022. The route is intended to connect the existing northern rail network with Kochkor and the Kara-Keche coal deposit in Naryn Region, one of the main sources of coal for Bishkek’s thermal power plant. Authorities plan eventually to integrate this line with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which is currently under construction inside Kyrgyzstan. If that happens, Balykchy would become a central node in a wider rail system linking the country’s north with new east-west freight routes through Naryn, Jalal-Abad and onward to Uzbekistan. The city’s road position is also becoming more important. TCA has previously reported that Kyrgyzstan’s alternative North-South highway is designed to link Balykchy with Jalal-Abad, cutting the journey between the two cities from around 13 hours to six once fully operational. That would give Balykchy a stronger role in domestic freight movement, not only in trade with China and Kazakhstan. The new logistics center also fits into Kyrgyzstan’s wider effort to turn its limited rail network into a transit asset. Kyrgyzstan’s railway system still spans only 425 kilometers and remains split between northern and southern sections, but that freight turnover has begun recovering after years of stagnation. For Bishkek, the value of Altyn Logistic will depend on whether those larger rail and road projects are completed. For now, the center strengthens Balykchy’s role as a northern cargo hub; in the longer term, it could become a link between Kyrgyzstan’s existing rail connection to Kazakhstan and the new routes being built toward China and Uzbekistan.

2 months ago

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