Photo from the archive. Melis Turgunbaev, head of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan, has been included in the Central Banker Report Cards ranking by Global Finance
The magazine's statement notes that "uncertainty" has become the key word to describe the state of the global economy across all continents. This is particularly evident in discussions among central banks, which are forced to act under increasingly complex forecasts for growth, trade, and inflation. In this regard, Global Finance conducted its 31st annual assessment of central bank leaders, covering 105 countries.
In its assessment, Global Finance uses a scale from A to F, where A+ is the highest grade and F is the lowest. The ranking is based on both objective and subjective indicators, including performance results from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. To receive a rating, the manager must have been in their position for at least one year. Central bank leaders from countries in deep conflict are not included in the ranking due to a lack of information. The algorithm ensures consistency of ratings across different regions, and the patented formula takes into account factors such as monetary policy, financial system oversight, asset purchase programs, forecasting and transparency, as well as political independence.
Melis Turgunbaev, head of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan, received a rating of B.
In this context, it is worth noting that inflation in Kyrgyzstan reached a 21-month high of 8.8% in July. This occurred against the backdrop of rising food and transportation prices, significantly exceeding the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan's target range of 5-7%. Under Turgunbaev's leadership, the regulator continues to adhere to a tight monetary policy. The banking sector shows stability: in the first half of 2025, the total assets of commercial banks increased by 24%, liquidity remains high, and the volume of cashless transactions has grown more than 12 times.
