March 7, 2025 – A meeting of the consultative group was held at the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, coordinated by NABA, to discuss the implementation of amendments to customs legislation in the field of e-commerce.

Key Issues Discussed:

• Updating national legislation in accordance with the new provisions of the EAEU Customs Code.
  • Establishing the Institute of E-Commerce Operators to streamline customs procedures.
  • Introducing a unified customs tariff for certain goods.
  • Discussion on the duty-free threshold and its impact on the market.
  • Reviewing the digitalization of customs administration.

New Regulations – New Opportunities

Representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, the State Customs Service, the State Tax Service, and the business community discussed how changes in customs regulation will affect entrepreneurs and logistics in the country. Particular attention was given to the need for uniform rules across all EAEU member states and the risks associated with differing national approaches.

Participants emphasized their commitment to creating transparent and business-friendly conditions. E-commerce is one of the key drivers of economic growth, and it is essential for the Kyrgyz Republic to align its regulations with international standards.

Pilot Project and Future Prospects

The possibility of reviving a pilot project on e-commerce was considered, which would allow testing new customs administration mechanisms. Candidates for e-commerce operators willing to work within the new system were also discussed.

Next Steps:

• Developing a roadmap for implementing the new regulations.
  • Establishing a working group to monitor the changes.
  • Training specialists to operate within the framework of the reforms.

The Secretariat of the Investment Council will continue to coordinate dialogue between the government and the business community to ensure the sustainable development of e-commerce in the Kyrgyz Republic.

As part of a series of broadcasts on Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) and its key role in the economy, Syimyk Taychabarov, Executive Director of the Milk Association of Kyrgyzstan and a member of the Investment Council, joined host Ermek Kurenkeev on ElTR TV to discuss investment climate issues and the simplification of administrative barriers for businesses.

Key Topics of the Discussion:

• Significance of the Dairy Sector – The dairy industry accounts for over 26% of Kyrgyzstan’s food sector, highlighting its economic importance.
  • Taxation Issues – A proposal was made to eliminate excise taxes on traditional national beverages, which could support local producers.
  • Business Feedback Mechanism – The discussion included the initiative to create an evaluation system for government agencies based on entrepreneurs’ feedback.
  • Urgent Approval of the Dairy Sector Development Concept – The need for swift adoption of a strategic document to consolidate the market and support industry growth was emphasized.
  • Export Prospects – Opportunities to expand dairy exports to the U.S., Gulf countries, and other international markets were explored.
  • Direct Dialogue with the Government – The initiative to hold an annual meeting between business representatives and the President was proposed, aiming to facilitate discussions on key development issues and accelerate solutions.

We extend our gratitude to ElTR TV for the opportunity to participate in this important discussion (link to the interview in Russian)

"If something hurts in the body, it sends a signal, and the person reacts. The same applies to the economy: if businesses highlight a problem, it is better to listen. Otherwise, the consequences of delayed solutions may be different. That is why dialogue is a way of transmitting signals. In the human body, it’s the nerves; in the economy, it’s the entrepreneurs. This is why listening to businesses and responding to their concerns is so important."

The Head of the Secretariat and Secretary of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Uluk Kydyrbaev, gave an exclusive interview where he spoke about the significance of public-private dialogue and its impact on the investment climate and business environment.

We extend our gratitude to the Economist.kg team for their collaboration and this opportunity.

Interview (in Russian)

How does Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) help address key challenges in Kyrgyzstan's agricultural sector and telecommunications industry?
What initiatives and reforms have been implemented through PPD to support farmers, agricultural enterprises, and digitalization efforts?

These and other questions were addressed by Rustam Baltabayev, Executive Director of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Salavat Ormoshev, Executive Director of the Association of Telecom Operators of the Kyrgyz Republic, who are active members of the Investment Council.

We thank ElTR TV Channel for the opportunity to share these insights