President Jeenbekov meets with business representatives of country

Bishkek, May 11, 2020. /Kabar/. Kyrgyzstan’s President Sooronbay Jeenbekov held on Monday meeting with representatives of the country's business associations. According to the President’s press service, the issues of post-crisis economic recovery in the country were discussed. Sooronbay Jeenbekov stated the spread of coronavirus infection has a negative impact on the macroeconomic situation in the country. "Closing borders has a very negative impact on foreign trade. The volume of cargo turnover with the main partner countries is decreasing, as well as volatility in the currency markets and price growth were observed. This is a difficult situation not only for the state, but also for business," said Jeenbekov. He stressed the situation has exposed the accumulated problems and a number of shortcomings in the structure of the national economy. The head of state noted that along with economic losses, there are a number of advantages due to the openness and freedom of the national economy. "The activity of entrepreneurs helps get out of any global or local economic depression," the president said, emphasizing the special role of small and medium business in the process of economic recovery in the country. At the meeting, Economy Minister Sanjar Mukanbetov spoke about the current economic situation in the country and measures taken by the Government to restore economic activity. He informed about the current trends in the macroeconomic situation in the country, as well as plans and forecasts for the post-crisis period. Executive Director of the International Business Council Askar Sydykov noted that business has an understanding of the current situation and wants to help the Government in addressing emerging challenges. He voiced a number of recommendations, noting that the crisis puts business in a difficult situation, but at the same time pushing for reforms in the economy. The meeting also featured reports by Executive Director of the Association for Agribusiness Development Temir Azhykulov, President of the Association of Suppliers (Manufacturers and Distributors) Gulnara Uskenbayeva, Executive Director of the Association of Markets, Trade and Services Artur Tashibekov, Executive Director of the JIA Business Association Farhad Pakyrov, President of the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators Mansur Abylaev, President of Legprom Association Sapar Asanov, Deputy Business Ombudsman Sergey Ponomarev and Executive Director of the Association of Fruit & Vegetable Enterprises Dilbar Alimzhanova. They talked about problems of their industries, and in general about problems faced by representatives of small and medium business in the current situation, sounded a number of proposals. Robin Ord-Smith, the country's Business Ombudsman stressed the need to take efficient decisions in order to improve the situation and noted the importance of informing the population about the ongoing events. He also drew attention to the adoption of short-term and long-term measures, taking into account the lessons learned from the pandemic and granting tax breaks for business. Head of the Secretariat of Business Development and Investment Council under the Government Talaibek Koichumanov spoke in favour of enhancing dialogue between the Government and business. He drew attention to the post-pandemic plans, improvement of the legislative framework to improve the competitiveness of business. Director of the High Technology Park Altynbek Ismailov noted that efforts to digitize the country over the past two years have helped to mitigate the consequences of the coronavirus infection pandemic. He added that digital technologies made it possible to effectively address issues in the economic and educational spheres in the context of the spread of the disease in the country. Sooronbay Jeenbekov recommended that the Government actively involve the business sector in the process of developing short-term and long-term anti-crisis programs. Deputy PM Erkin Asrandiyev, Minister of Economy Sanjar Mukanbetov, Minister of Agriculture, Food Industry and Reclamation Erkinbek Choduyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use Emil Osmonbetov, Chairman of the State Tax Service Kabyl Abdaliyev, Chairman of the State Customs Service Altynbek Torutayev, Chairman of the State Agency for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption Bakir Tairov and Director of the State Agency for Antimonopoly Regulation Shukhrat Sabirov took part in the meeting.