Zharkyna Koshoeva is one of such compatriots, who independently take upon themselves work of diplomatic services, considering it as a duty to their homeland. She has been helping Kyrgyzstanis for several years, promoting domestic culture, tourism and business abroad and working on strengthening bilateral ties.
The founder of the Kyrgyz-Dutch Business Council, Zharkyna Koshoeva, a native of Koshoi village in Chui region of Kyrgyzstan, has been living in Holland for more than 20 years.
— Zharkyna, tell us, please, how you surprised lecturers of Moscow State University.
— Upon admission to the History Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University, I wrote an essay on a work of Leo Tolstoy. I was told then that my essay was checked several times and they could not believe that a girl from Kyrgyzstan could write an essay for an excellent mark.
It turned out that even the deans of the history and philology faculties argued about my grade, but in the end, I was accepted into the university.
But then, despite my good knowledge, I did not find a job in Bishkek with a diploma of Moscow State University.
I had to go to the private sector: I got a job at a travel company. We hosted alpinists wishing to climb the peaks of Lenin, Communism and Korzhenevskaya (Tajikistan).
— How did you find yourself in Europe?
— In 1994, the Dutch arrived in Kyrgyzstan to climb Lenin peak. So I met my future husband, but our relationship began only in 1996. Now we have two children. Our son Arthur is 21 years old, and daughter Asel is 18 years old.
— Did you independently learn Dutch?
— If you want to work for a good company here, then knowledge of Dutch is necessary.
Everyone speaks English very well, but you need to speak Dutch perfectly.
I spent two years learning the local language.
— Did you continue to work in the tourism sphere in Holland?
-Yes, I did. At the beginning, I was disappointed when I learned that the Europeans did not know about existence of some Central Asian countries. I had also taught the history of Russia at several universities in Holland for 5 years.
And one day I decided to change my occupation — I started promoting Kyrgyz art in Holland. We held various exhibitions of our artists and presented our art at events. I became a collector of works by our artists. I have a serious collection now. At the same time, I was engaged in tourism in the Central Asian states in my company Tunduk Konsept.
In 2012, I became an official representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyzstan in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 2014, I decided to create a business platform for enterprises of the two countries — the Kyrgyz-Dutch Business Council.
— The Business Council is a non-profit organization. How effective is your work?
— We made a number of requests for small and medium-sized businesses and conducted a marketing research for major Dutch companies on Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. At our events, I tell about the economic opportunities of the republic for business and industries that are attractive for investment. We are often approached by both Dutch and Kyrgyz entrepreneurs.
As for economic policy, it would be good for Kyrgyzstan to open a small trade promotion office in the Netherlands in the future, especially after obtaining GSP + status of the European Union.
I believe that it is necessary to carry out purposeful work in order to use the possibilities of this preference 100 percent. Holland is in the top 10 countries of the world in doing business, and there are ways for cooperation.
— Are our diplomatic services working in this direction?
— I don’t know if there are economic departments in the embassies, but judging by the data on investments in Kyrgyzstan, we need competent employees to promote the republic. As we have noticed, the new foreign minister first began pursuing economic diplomacy. This is the right step.
For example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands holds together with various business associations at different levels the Day of Ambassadors and Business annually. Local entrepreneurs meet with ambassadors of other countries at this platform.
We try to organize an economic dialogue between the two states. We also work on an exhibition of our artists on a serious level together with the Union of Artists of Kyrgyzstan. We are in talks with the museum in Amsterdam about Chingiz Aitmatov.
— In what spheres are Kyrgyzstanis employed in Holland?
— Skilled specialists with knowledge of English come to study and work. They work in banks, as lawyers, administrators, at international firms and other areas. They all help their relatives. At our meetings, we cook national dishes, especially love boorsoks.
I would advise everyone not to look for happiness and money in Europe. It is a hard work.
People work here only legally, speaking foreign languages and having skills. In Holland, an employer will never hire you illegally, even for a low wage. He or she will face a large fine for it.
Migration policy in the Netherlands is tough. Our compatriots were deported more than once.
— What surprises you in the culture of the Dutch?
— Everything here runs like clockwork. The Dutch are work-minded, they work day and night. For example, businessmen work without rest, you can call or send them an e-mail at any time.
The most interesting thing is the responsibility of parents for raising children. Grandparents here do not interfere in the upbringing of their grandchildren and may even refuse to help. It was strange for me, because at that time I really needed support. I had a small child and had to study and work.
And children from an early age are taught economy and responsibility for their actions and decisions. Each child has own bank account, and under the supervision of the parents, they carry out financial calculations.
— So, are your children very different from the Kyrgyz?
— It was difficult for me, a Kyrgyz woman, to accept such a culture of raising children. Therefore, I decided to instill in them something ours, Kyrgyz. Now I can say that my children are 50 percent Kyrgyz, especially my son. They love Kyrgyzstan and visit the country every year. Children know our culture, traditions, cuisine and language.
— What do you miss in Holland?
— I miss our Kyrgyz fuss, feasts, natural food, cold and, at the same time, sunny Kyrgyzstan. I miss my relatives who I can always drink tea and chat with.
