On April 3, 2025, the city of Karakol hosted the next stage of the “Business Enlightenment Caravan” initiative. The event brought together more than 150 participants, including entrepreneurs, representatives of government agencies, banks, and relevant institutions from the Issyk-Kul region. The goal was not only to inform about available state support measures but also to establish direct dialogue between businesses and government authorities.

Grants, Loans, and Green Opportunities

Entrepreneurs were introduced to new financing programs from Aiyl Bank and Eldik Bank. These included loans with interest rates ranging from 0% to 10% per annum, support for the agro-sector, agricultural equipment leasing, women's entrepreneurship, and environmentally sustainable initiatives such as:

• “Aiyl Charba – 13” (up to 50 million KGS, 10% p.a., up to 7 years);
• “Ishker-Aiym” (up to 3 million KGS, 16% p.a.);
• Green technology funding — for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture projects.

Conditions for accessing budgetary loans from the Regional Development Fund (RDF) were also explained. These loans are targeted primarily at the agro-industrial complex and sustainable regional businesses.

Tourism as a Regional Growth Engine

A presentation by the Tourism Department under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce generated particular interest. Participants learned about the approved National Program for Sustainable Tourism Development until 2030 and the state classification system for tourist sites, including the rating of yurt camps and other facilities.

It was noted that 40 pilot tourism sites across the country have been selected for development, including several in the Issyk-Kul region. Karakol is expected to play a key role as one of the flagship locations in the “Kyrgyz Courchevel” concept aimed at enhancing guest experience, safety, and infrastructure.

Tax Questions in the Spotlight

Many of the participants raised questions about taxation, including zero-revenue declarations, legalization of goods stored in warehouses, and tax application to locally produced or processed agricultural goods. Real-life examples were shared where farmers, lacking insurance coverage, had to cover loan debts themselves in the face of losses.

Open Dialogue and Key Initiatives

Representatives of the Secretariat announced the upcoming launch of Regional Investment Council Secretariats under plenipotentiary representatives. In addition, Mayor Timur Mysyrovich Madyarov informed participants about the creation of a dialogue platform at the Mayor’s Office, where he will co-chair alongside a representative from the private sector.

Daniyar Karagulovich Arpachiev, First Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Issyk-Kul region, supported the idea of expanding platforms for regular engagement with entrepreneurs.

Proposals were also voiced to improve access to insurance products for persons with disabilities, including potential discounts and benefits.

What’s Next?

As in other regions, the goal of the Caravan is not only to inform but also to collect feedback, identify challenges, and propose improvements to the business environment. All comments and suggestions from entrepreneurs will be consolidated and submitted to the relevant authorities and the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers.

Parallel to the panel sessions, entrepreneurs could receive individual consultations in the theater's foyer. Consultation zones were organized with representatives from development funds, state banks, and insurance companies.

The event format included expert presentations, Q&A sessions, and individual meetings. This approach allowed not only for explanations of current legislative changes but also for highlighting real challenges faced by business representatives on the ground.

The next stops of the Caravan: Karakol — April 3, Talas — April 8, Tokmok — April 10, Kara-Balta — April 15, Bishkek — April 16.

The campaign is organized by the JIA Business Association and the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President in the regions, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration, the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Finance, the Center for Public-Private Partnership under NAIA, the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Land and Water Oversight Service under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, the EBRD, the OSCE Program Office, UNDP, and the Center for Business Support..

On April 1, 2025, the city of Naryn hosted the “Business Enlightenment Caravan,” a large-scale event that brought together more than 200 entrepreneurs and active citizens of the region. The focus was on real opportunities for business development, along with presentations of new grant and loan programs aimed at fostering sustainable regional growth.

In addition to explanations on legislative changes, taxation, and labor relations, participants were introduced to concrete support tools for Naryn entrepreneurs:

— The Regional Development Fund, operating under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, presented its terms for issuing budget loans at just 2% interest per year, with repayment periods of up to 10 years. These funds can be used for projects in milk, meat, potato, and safflower oil processing, as well as for initiatives in tourism, hydropower, and fisheries. “We’re expecting quality business projects from Naryn residents. All the conditions are here — the financing is available,” said a fund representative.

— In the tourism sector, participants learned about new support directions: the reconstruction of the Salkyn-Tor Nature Park, the construction of Naryn Airport, the launch of the “Tengir-Too” tourism brand, the creation of geoparks, the development of winter tourism, and the launch of the visitnaryn.kg platform. “Naryn is becoming a center of attraction for both domestic and international tourism. It’s crucial that businesses are ready to meet this challenge,” noted the presentation coordinator.

In the second part of the event, participants actively engaged in a Q&A session. One of the most discussed topics was Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): “Local entrepreneurs are ready to invest — from small to large-scale projects. But it's important to understand the rules and mechanisms,” said one of the speakers.

Access to financing was another hot topic. “As soon as collateral is required, 99% of applicants are left out,” shared an entrepreneur from Ak-Talaa. In response, fund representatives explained that this is a key part of the mechanism and emphasized the importance of legalizing assets.

A separate block focused on taxation. Questions were raised about including vital medicines in the VAT exemption list, the use of E-TTN (electronic waybills), the patent system, and real-life cases — from opening a mini hair salon to tax obligations for livestock herders.

Parallel to the panel sessions, entrepreneurs could receive individual consultations in the theater's foyer. Consultation zones were organized with representatives from development funds, state banks, and insurance companies.

The event format included expert presentations, Q&A sessions, and individual meetings. This approach allowed not only for explanations of current legislative changes but also for highlighting real challenges faced by business representatives on the ground.

The next stops of the Caravan: Karakol — April 3, Talas — April 8, Tokmok — April 10, Kara-Balta — April 15, Bishkek — April 16.

The campaign is organized by the JIA Business Association and the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President in the regions, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration, the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Finance, the Center for Public-Private Partnership under NAIA, the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Land and Water Oversight Service under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, the EBRD, the OSCE Program Office, UNDP, and the Center for Business Support..

On March 27, 2025, the nationwide information campaign "Business Education Caravan" continued its work in Batken. The event took place at the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Batken Region and brought together local entrepreneurs, representatives of government agencies, financial institutions, and the expert community.

The main objective of the campaign is to disseminate up-to-date information on changes in legislation, new tax and labor law requirements, state support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), regional development opportunities, and public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms.

In their welcoming remarks, the organizers emphasized the importance of maintaining a "live" dialogue with the business community, allowing for a deeper understanding of the situation on the ground and a prompt response to entrepreneurs' concerns.

The first part of the event focused on issues related to inspections, mandatory insurance, and the application of the updated Labor Code. Representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce reminded participants that a national inspection planning system is in place, requiring all regulatory authorities to coordinate their actions in advance. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to use digital tools such as the proverki.gov.kg website and the Business Korgoo mobile application to verify the legality of inspections and, if necessary, file complaints with the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Mandatory insurance received special attention. Insurance company representatives explained that compensation for damages is provided based on the findings of relevant services. As one speaker noted, “Even in the case of partial damage, compensation is possible — as was the case in one of the villages in Leilek district, where a sum of 800,000 soms was paid out.” However, they also clarified that if the property owner is found to be at fault, compensation may not be provided.

Taxation and reporting issues were also of high interest to participants. Representatives of the State Tax Service explained the rules for conducting non-cash transactions and warned against the use of employees' personal bank accounts in business operations. Additionally, challenges related to the tax portal’s interface updates were discussed. Some entrepreneurs noted that frequent changes make it difficult to submit reports. In response, tax officials assured participants that all updates aim to simplify the platform for users and expressed willingness to consider user feedback. They also reminded attendees of the QR codes displayed in all tax offices, which allow users to rate service quality: “If you are dissatisfied with an inspector’s response or have doubts about their conduct, you can submit your feedback directly to the central office.”

The topic of tourism sparked particular interest. A representative of the Department of Tourism shared information about a national project aimed at developing 40 tourist sites in 40 districts across the country. Under this initiative, entrepreneurs with a business plan and confirmed financing may receive state support, including assistance with land use issues. Participants also proposed organizing rural fairs under the slogan “One Village – One Product.” In response, it was noted that such events are already being held and will be expanded.

The Public-Private Partnership Center under the National Investment Agency informed attendees about existing PPP mechanisms. Specifically, projects with a budget of up to 1 billion soms are implemented through competitive procedures, while larger projects may proceed through direct negotiations. Priority is given to initiatives that generate sustainable benefits for the regions.

Representatives of financial institutions, including state and international development funds, presented a range of financial products tailored to the needs of SMEs in Batken Region. They provided guidance on the requirements for collateral and the application process.

Land-related issues also received considerable attention. Government representatives encouraged entrepreneurs to voluntarily eliminate any violations related to unauthorized constructions, particularly those falling within the "red line" zone, as this could help avoid potential court-ordered demolitions.

Alongside the panel sessions, entrepreneurs had the opportunity to receive one-on-one consultations in designated areas. These consultation zones featured representatives from ministries, the tax service, local authorities, banks, development funds, and insurance companies.

Upcoming stops of the Caravan include: Naryn – April 1, Karakol – April 3, Talas – April 8, Tokmok – April 10, Kara-Balta – April 15, and Bishkek – April 16.

The campaign is organized by the JIA Business Association and the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President in the regions, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Migration, the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Finance, the Public-Private Partnership Center under the National Investment Agency, the Department of Tourism, the State Land and Water Inspection Service, the EBRD, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, UNDP, and the Business Support Center.

On March 26, 2025, the nationwide informational campaign “Business Enlightenment Caravan” continued its work in the city of Osh. The event took place at Osh State University and brought together entrepreneurs, government officials, and experts.

The campaign aims to clarify changes in legislation, new requirements in tax and labor regulations, and inform the business community about available support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), tourism development opportunities, and public-private partnership tools.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the JIA Business Association, the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in Osh region, the State Tax Service, and the General Prosecutor’s Office.

During the first part of the program, participants were briefed on the latest changes in business regulation, including the updated Labor Code, mechanisms for mandatory insurance, and procedures for inspections conducted by supervisory authorities. Topics such as licensing, the role of the Prosecutor’s Office in protecting entrepreneurs’ rights, and the nuances of tax reporting were also discussed.

Participants raised concerns about improving access to insurance payments. One entrepreneur voiced a proposal to “simplify the process of receiving insurance compensation just as the process of making payments is simple.” In response, it was explained that insurance payouts are guaranteed if a complete set of documents is submitted.

Numerous questions were asked regarding the application of the unified tax, submission of “zero” reports, and taxation in the service and trade sectors. Representatives of the State Tax Service reported that they are considering canceling the 4% rate for cash transactions while keeping a 2% rate regardless of the payment method. It was also clarified that “if there is no activity, a ‘zero’ report is not required, but any changes must be followed by a clarification report.”

Other issues included the use of ETTN (Electronic Consignment Note), hiring practices in the sewing industry, and challenges of working with suppliers who lack proper documentation. Participants were advised to “avoid doing business with farmers who cannot provide an invoice, even if they are exempt from taxes.”

The tourism panel session focused on financing mechanisms. A representative of “Rayan Resort Sary-Oy” shared a practical tip: “We started small – we rented land for one year and set up yurts, while simultaneously applying for long-term permits. You can start your business without waiting for permanent land rights.” There was also a proposal to organize a separate meeting with tourism business representatives to explore ways to promote Osh’s unique tourism potential.

The second part of the event highlighted the role of local self-government bodies in supporting entrepreneurship and implementing development projects. A dedicated session addressed tourism development with a regional perspective. Government officials explained how entrepreneurs can access financing through regional development funds and outlined current SME support programs.

Representatives of the business community expressed a strong interest in launching the Regional Investment Council in Osh region. They view it as an essential platform for addressing local business issues and attracting investment, and they eagerly await the formation and operation of its secretariat.

In parallel with the panel discussions, entrepreneurs had the opportunity to receive individual consultations in designated areas set up in the venue’s lobby. These consultation zones included representatives from development funds, state banks, and insurance companies.

The event’s format – expert presentations, Q&A sessions, and one-on-one meetings – enabled participants to gain clarity on recent legislative changes and highlight the real challenges faced by local businesses.

The upcoming stops of the Caravan are: Batken – March 27, Naryn – April 1, Karakol – April 3, Talas – April 8, Tokmok – April 10, Kara-Balta – April 15, and Bishkek – April 16.

The campaign is organized by the JIA Business Association and the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President in the regions, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration, the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Finance, the Center for Public-Private Partnership under NAIA, the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Land and Water Oversight Service under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, the EBRD, the OSCE Program Office, UNDP, and the Center for Business Support.