Kyrgyzstan Sets Date for 2027 Presidential Election

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has submitted a draft law to parliament establishing the official date for the country’s next presidential election. The parliamentary committee on constitutional legislation has approved the proposal in all three readings. According to the newly adopted law, the presidential election will take place on January 24, 2027, in line with amendments that designate the fourth Sunday of January as the official election date in the year the president’s term expires. Under the current Constitution, the president of Kyrgyzstan is elected for a single six-year term, with no possibility of re-election. President Japarov was elected on January 28, 2021, and later initiated constitutional reforms, including a nationwide referendum that expanded presidential powers. Changes to Parliamentary Elections The same parliamentary committee has also approved a second reading of a draft law altering the electoral system for members of the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament). The reforms would eliminate single-mandate constituencies, moving to an entirely majoritarian, multi-member district model. Under the new system, 30 electoral constituencies will be established, with three deputies elected in each, bringing the total to 90 MPs, all elected on a majoritarian basis. Both political parties and self-nominated individuals will be able to field candidates. Notably, 30 of the 90 seats will be reserved for women, aimed at enhancing gender representation. Currently, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament is composed of 54 deputies elected by party lists and 36 by single-mandate districts. If approved in its final reading, the draft law would overhaul the country's mixed electoral model in favor of a purely constituency-based approach.

Kyrgyzstan Launches New IT Hub in Bishkek

On April 10, the Technopark IT hub officially opened in Bishkek, marking a significant milestone in the development of Kyrgyzstan’s fast-growing tech sector. Spanning 14,000 square meters and designed to accommodate 1,500 jobs, the new hub was built with private investments totaling 2 billion KGS (more than $22 million). The facility serves as a center for digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative collaboration, featuring office spaces, co-working areas, conference rooms, and a professional podcast recording studio. Current residents of the IT hub include some of Kyrgyzstan’s largest online services for trade, employment, real estate, and cryptocurrency exchange platforms. The opening ceremony was attended by President Sadyr Japarov, who was welcomed by BilimBot, a Kyrgyz-speaking robot developed by local programmers. In his remarks, Japarov highlighted the central role of digitalization and technology in modern economic development. “Today, the world is undergoing rapid changes. The development of countries no longer depends only on natural resources. In the past, the global economy was dominated by countries rich in minerals or with access to the sea. Now, these factors are no longer decisive. We live in the digital age. The ability to use knowledge and technology as resources that can compete with natural ones has come to the fore,” he said. The president also discussed legislative reforms aimed at fostering Kyrgyzstan’s IT landscape. In 2023, Japarov signed amendments to the Law on the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic, which extended its preferential tax regime indefinitely, a move designed to attract both local and international tech companies. Established in 2011, the High Technology Park (HTP) was created to stimulate IT business development by offering substantial tax relief to companies exporting digital goods and services. Previously, tax exemptions were set for a 15-year term expiring in 2026. Under the new legislation, these tax benefits are now permanent. Resident companies of the HTP enjoy exemptions from sales tax, profit tax, and value-added tax (VAT). Employees benefit from a reduced income tax rate of 5%, and the social insurance tax is fixed at 12% of the average monthly wage. The IT sector is now one of Kyrgyzstan’s most dynamic industries. In 2021, the government created the Ministry of Digital Development to lead efforts in e-government services and to expand digital access across the country.