In a recent interview, President Sadyr Japarov shared his thoughts on the launch of the new "Berekett Bank" in a conversation with the news agency "Kabar." According to him, the initiator of the bank's creation was the well-known founder of Binance, Changpeng Zhao. Japarov emphasized that this project is private and should attract significant investments to the country.
-Hello, Sadyr Nurgoyoevich! Last week, news emerged that among the founders of "Berekett Bank" is your son Nurdöölöt Nurgoyev, alongside former Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh Marat Sultanov.
Public reaction to this news has been mixed: some believe it is acceptable in the absence of state intervention, while others feel that involving relatives is inappropriate. What is the connection of this bank to your family?
- This is indeed a relevant question that is being discussed in society. I will try to answer as openly as possible. In more than five years of my presidency, I have not involved any family members or brothers in state affairs. I am convinced that one politician is enough in one family.
I have always told my close ones: engage in business, develop production, and attract investors to our country.
Thank God, they understood me and do not interfere in politics. This is noticeable to the people.
And in the future, they will not participate in state affairs. None of them aspire to hold the position of minister or deputy. Although they could, since elections are held with the participation of the people, but they do not do this.
Everyone is engaged in private business and attracting investors.
I always advise them:
“Do not take capital abroad; instead, invest in your country.”
If I were to list all the investors that my relatives have attracted and the projects they are implementing, it would look like advertising for the family, so I will refrain from doing that for now.
When my presidential term ends, I will tell what my brothers have been doing, what projects Rustam has implemented, and how much investment they have attracted to the country. All this will become known to the people.
As for the bank, the situation is as follows. Currently, there is a global shift towards virtual assets.
In May, when Changpeng Zhao visited us, he proposed the idea of creating a digital bank.
I immediately suggested making it a state bank, but he was not interested in a state initiative.
After my idea of a state bank was not approved, we reached an agreement to create a private bank.
I invited Marat Sultanov as an experienced banker to handle organizational issues.
Changpeng Zhao and Marat Abdrzakovich suggested that Nurdöölöt also be included in the project.
After some thought, I agreed, as the state is not involved in this.
Let him work, gain experience, and interact with professionals. This is better than if they were engaged in state activities — it is better for them to focus on business.
It is important to note that Changpeng Zhao does not visit every country.
Firstly, we have developed friendly relations, and secondly, he sees that Kyrgyzstan is developing, there is a fight against corruption, and this is what attracts his attention. Many countries try to invite him, but without success. His presence in Kyrgyzstan through this bank will bring billions in investments. Other investors will also be among the founders. Our state and people will only benefit from this bank, there will be no harm.
-Will this bank operate like other banks?
-Yes, it will function like a regular bank, but will primarily focus on virtual assets and digital currencies.
-Does your son have education and experience in this field?
-As I have already mentioned, I do not involve my children and brothers in politics. Therefore, both Rustam and Nurdöölöt have received education in economics and finance. Of course, he does not have extensive experience yet. But I believe that over time he will gain practical experience. The youth today are mastering new fields faster than we did.
The main thing is not to worry. This initiative will only benefit the people of Kyrgyzstan: incomes will be distributed, assistance will be provided to orphans and the needy, social facilities will be built, and so on.
