I was appointed to my current position in December 2024. Prior to this, I held the position of First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. My experience also includes work in tax authorities, where I rose to the position of head, as well as serving as Deputy Minister of Economy. In total, I spent about four years as Minister of Finance.
My experience in the economic and financial sectors proved useful when the president offered me this position. The main task was to oversee the economic part of the Cabinet of Ministers' work and maintain GDP growth rates. I did not encounter serious difficulties as I focused specifically on economic issues.
- How do you see Kyrgyzstan in ten years? Are there already any plans?
We have a development strategy until 2030, which has already been adopted. We plan that by that time, GDP will reach at least 30 billion dollars.
- What is the current level of GDP?
Last year, it amounted to approximately 22.6 billion dollars.
- So you plan to grow to 30 billion by 2030?
No, we expect greater growth.
- Which sectors of the economy will contribute to this growth?
The main directions will be industry and construction. Agriculture will also add 2-4%. We plan to create at least 100 new industrial enterprises and develop existing ones. This is confirmed by my decisions, and we are also exchanging experiences with Uzbekistan, where a minister is assigned to each project.
- Does this mean that ministers bear personal responsibility for projects?
Yes, and I personally check how things are going on the ground, asking the curators. If a minister does not know who their curator is, there will be consequences for them. This is effective, as in Uzbekistan, ministers are also assigned to projects, not just the Attorney General.
- Can we say that Kyrgyzstan is becoming an "Asian Tiger"?
We can indeed talk about a "Leap of the Snow Leopard".
- Is your program of an economic nature?
Yes, it is.
- How strong are Kyrgyzstan's positions compared to the Asian Tiger countries like Vietnam and Thailand?
I believe we are very close to that.
- You mentioned GDP. It grew by 11% in 2025, and in the first two months of this year, it increased by 9% compared to the same period last year. How did you achieve such results?
Primarily, we improved our investment legislation and adopted a new version of the investment law. We started implementing at least 100 new agricultural enterprises, which contributed to growth.
Last year, over 270,000 new jobs were created, and investments in fixed assets increased by 18.4%. For this year, I approved 113 enterprises with a total investment of 2.6 billion dollars and the creation of more than 12,000 new jobs.
We are working on debureaucratizing processes, and for this, the Minister of Justice was given the rank of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers so that he could engage in this work.
We also implemented the "Government Accelerators" program, borrowed from the United Arab Emirates. We identify problems in the service sector, determine responsible agencies, and give them 100 days to resolve issues. Last year, 12 such programs were adopted, which allowed us to reduce the time for issuing documents and licenses.
Thus, we eliminated duplication of functions and appointed responsible persons for projects. This has yielded results.
We are also creating favorable conditions for existing enterprises to expand, which, in turn, positively affects the economy.
- Are new enterprises opening across the country or concentrated in certain regions?
New enterprises are opening throughout the country. This is important for reducing internal migration so that people can work in their regions, not just in Bishkek or the Chui Valley.
- Kyrgyzstan is implementing a number of large investment projects. What measures are being taken to maintain investment attractiveness, for example, in projects like the Kambarata HPP and the "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan" railway?
We have several megaprojects, as you mentioned, and they are important not only for Kyrgyzstan but also for neighboring countries.
It is important to note that thanks to the efforts of our president, we resolved border issues, which was a major problem. We signed an agreement between the three countries and even established a friendship stele. International organizations recognize this success, making the country more attractive for investments.
Our two main megaprojects are the aforementioned railway and the construction of the Kambarata HPP-1. This road will significantly reduce delivery times for goods between the East and West and attract investments of 4.7 billion dollars.
As for the Kambarata HPP, this project also involves Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and while it will not completely solve the electricity shortage problem, it will help accumulate water and distribute resources among neighbors.
- When will the construction of the Kambarata HPP be completed, and will it be enough to eliminate the electricity deficit?
Unfortunately, the Kambarata HPP alone is not enough. We produce about 15.4 billion kWh, while we need over 19 billion. We are also actively developing solar and wind power plants, having signed more than 10 agreements for solar projects with a capacity of about 6,000 MW.
- How is the wind power project with "Rosatom" on Issyk-Kul progressing?
Work on this project began in 2024, and this year we are starting the first phase of construction. Financial issues have already been resolved, and installation work will begin in late October-November. We plan to launch the first part in December and fully complete the project by 2027.
- How do you assess the current state of the CIS on its 35th anniversary?
The Commonwealth has come a long way, and today it demonstrates its relevance as a mechanism for multilateral interaction. The CIS is at a stage of mature development.
- What do you think helps CIS countries remain united in these turbulent times?
A common history, linguistic proximity, and traditions. We lived within one state for a long time, and today's world shows that only in unity can we develop and achieve success.
"Together is beneficial" is the slogan of our television company.
Yes, indeed, this year we will host a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Bishkek, which will take place in the new Congress Hall.
- So you will walk to the summit from your office?
Yes, this year we will begin construction of a new building for the ministries.
- Does this mean you plan to move officials out of the city center?
Yes, exactly.
- Are high-speed roads planned within the city?
That is possible; we want to create separate lanes for unobstructed movement.
- So by August 31, Bishkek will welcome guests updated?
Yes, we will open a new stadium with 51,000 seats, which will be the largest in Central Asia.
We are also building a new building for the tax service and the Prosecutor General's Office so that they are located next to each other.
- So you are moving all administrative functions out of the center of Bishkek?
Yes, exactly.
- How is the doctor shortage situation in the country?
Yes, we used to have a shortage of teachers, and now we have a shortage of doctors. Starting April 1, we plan to raise the salaries of doctors and teachers by 100%.
We are also creating funds to support local doctors so they can study and then return to work in their regions.
- So there are programs for those who want to work in rural areas?
Yes, we will allocate apartments for new doctors.
- What is the current mortgage rate?
For non-budget employees, it is 8%, for budget employees – 4%. We plan to hand over the keys to 20,000 apartments.
- Is this for civil servants?
Yes, and for other categories of citizens. We have already started building 80,000 to 90,000 apartments.
- And how do you plan to provide infrastructure for the new housing?
Schools, kindergartens, and hospitals will definitely be built. I am currently dealing with healthcare and see that the situation requires improvement.
- What is the level of the doctor shortage today?
I can't give exact percentages, but the problem exists.
- This especially concerns specialists?
Yes, the shortage can reach 20-40% in different regions.
- And how are maternity hospitals doing?
We are building new hospitals and modernizing existing ones.
- What is the situation with birth rates?
Birth rates are fine; we have support programs for large families.
- Is four children in a family the norm?
Yes, I also have four daughters.
- What about grandchildren?
I have three grandsons, but I would like more.
- Young people today are not eager to have many children?
Starting July 1, new payments for parents were introduced, which should help increase birth rates.
- What role does Kyrgyzstan's agricultural sector play in ensuring food security in the CIS?
Agriculture is developing here, achieving growth of 3-4%, and we provide ourselves with nine main products.
We actively export vegetables and fruits to Russia and Kazakhstan, as they ripen earlier than in northern regions.
Fish production is also developing, and we export a lot of trout.
- You export fish despite the lack of sea?
Yes, aquaculture is actively developing.
Our products, including honey, are of high quality and environmentally friendly, making them in demand in international markets.
- So products from Kyrgyzstan are already considered environmentally clean?
Yes, we adhere to high standards.
- You love the mountains, and we saw your walks in Ala-Archa National Park. What could be better than mountains?
The mountains occupy 94% of Kyrgyzstan's territory, and I really love the mountains. I also enjoy fishing in the mountains.
- What kind of fish do you prefer?
All kinds of fish, especially the Issyk-Kul chebak, which is highly valued in our country.
- How is the hotel construction going?
Private companies are building hotels, including modern ski bases on Issyk-Kul.
- Is this a kind of "Asian Courchevel"? Have you skied yourself?
Yes, I have skied, and Russian investors are also participating in the construction of ski bases.
- Is there a plan to build an airport in the area?
We are modernizing airports in Issyk-Kul and Karakol.
- Recently you mentioned problems with flights. What is the situation?
In Tamchy, flights are available, but construction in Karakol is not yet complete.
We are also considering creating a mountain cluster, which will increase the length of the route to more than 1,000 kilometers.
The president recently summarized the year, and we released a report on achievements over the first five years of his presidency.
Thank you for the interview! We wish you further success in the development of Kyrgyzstan.
Thank you! I also want to congratulate the people of Kyrgyzstan on the upcoming holidays and wish them health and prosperity.
