Daiyrbek Orunbekov, head of the information policy of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, commented on the article by "Azattyk," which discusses sanctions against Kyrgyz banks. He stated that the accusations of "laundering Russian funds" are unfounded and do not take into account important aspects such as ruble transfers from migrants and trade relations with Russia.
Orunbekov noted that he had reviewed the material from "Azattyk" titled "British agency reported that a money laundering network acquired 'Keremet Bank'" and felt it necessary to respond and clarify the situation to a broader audience.
According to him, the sanctions imposed by the West against two banks in Kyrgyzstan are based on allegations that these institutions allegedly "collaborate with Sberbank of Russia and launder its funds." These claims, in Orunbekov's opinion, do not reflect the real economic situation and fail to consider the usual mechanisms of international settlements.
In Kyrgyzstan, about a million migrants work, who daily transfer significant amounts in rubles to their relatives through various banks, including Sberbank. These transfers are converted into soms in Kyrgyzstan and delivered to the recipients. Moreover, rubles are actively used to pay for goods imported from Russia.
The economic logic here is simple: Kyrgyzstan imports oil, gas, metals, wheat, food, and construction materials from Russia. Suppliers specify accounts and currencies for settlements, and often this is in rubles. We make transfers to the specified details, and the rubles that come into the country are returned to Russia through payment flows, ensuring payment for supplies. This is a normal commodity-money practice that is an important part of Kyrgyzstan's economy.
Therefore, to accuse banks of collaborating with Russian financial institutions for the purpose of "laundering" funds is to ignore economic logic and facts. Such sanctions and calls to sever ties with Russian banks could undermine the financial stability of the country and negatively impact migrant families who heavily rely on remittances," concluded Orunbekov.
