15:14, 26 апреля 2022, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Tatyana KUDRYAVTSEVA
Forecasts for development of the economy of Kyrgyzstan by the main trade partners of the republic are not optimistic to date. Joint ventures could solve the problem.
The first step in this direction has been taken. A business mission from Ryazan Oblast of Russia visited Kyrgyzstan.
Cooperation with this region of the Russian Federation is poorly developed so far, but officials see promising areas and offer to pay attention to Batken region. The Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF) is even ready to give loans to Russian companies as long as they work with the republic.
Trade turnover of Kyrgyzstan with Ryazan Oblast of Russia at the end of 2021 amounted to about $6 million. Compared to 2020, it has grown by a quarter.
Kyrgyzstan supplies components of solar energy systems to the oblast.
The republic imports oil products, paints and varnishes, furniture, perfumes, plastic products from the Russian region. At the same time, experts believe that Kyrgyzstan can supply textile, fruits, vegetables, fish products, including cooled and fresh-frozen fish, and other food products to Ryazan Oblast.
In addition, organization of joint ventures is of interest.
«Ryazan already supplies a lot of goods to Kyrgyzstan and imports some elements for solar energy systems in particular. We need to expand these contacts so that, for example, we can supply building materials, metalworking and engineering goods, conveyor belt lines that are produced in Ryazan Oblast, pharmaceutical, food products, products of our IT companies directly to Kyrgyzstan. This is a promising direction,» Nikolai Lyubimov, Governor of Ryazan Oblast, said.
It is proposed to pay special attention to cooperation in the field of logistics. This is due to the fact that the events taking place in the world and the sanctions imposed against Russia require restructuring of the system for the supply of goods.
«Logistics chains have to be rebuilt in order to supply the products of Ryazan or joint ventures to Kyrgyzstan and Europe through new logistics chains. This is very important, because the geographical location and transport infrastructure of Ryazan Oblast is the most beneficial. This is one of the best deals in Central Russia,» Nikolai Lyubimov said.
Kyrgyzstan proposes to pay special attention to Batken region.
«There is a special investment and tax regime in Batken region. I suggest entrepreneurs from the Russian Federation and Ryazan Oblast to consider it for investment and cooperation. Taxes are reduced there, there are zero rates and other preferences for those who are engaged in activities in Batken region,» the Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce Choro Seitov said.
Representatives of Russian business have repeatedly visited Kyrgyzstan in past years. Contacts seemed to be established, but real projects did not come soon. Neither side has that much time right now.
A showroom of Ryazan companies was opened in Kyrgyzstan for the first time.
There are more than 60 companies to date. There you can get acquainted with the enterprises, negotiate and start cooperation. The showroom will be open for two months.
Assistance is also offered by the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund. Its Chairman Artyom Novikov said in an interview with 24.kg news agency that one of the tasks of the RKDF is to strengthen bilateral Russian-Kyrgyz relations. Therefore, the Fund is trying to act as a conductor of Russian capital and business in Kyrgyzstan and is ready to help along the entire path of project implementation.
«We strive to structure and implement projects in Kyrgyzstan in order to create the maximum effect of bilateral cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation. We are ready to consider any aspects of cooperation and support for Ryazan enterprises that are ready to do business in the republic,» the RKDF Chairman of the Board said.
Russian companies will even be able to get preferential loans from the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund.
«It can be soft loans, the rates on which are about two times lower than the market ones, and the terms are longer — up to 10 years or more. If a Russian business opens production in Kyrgyzstan, acts as an investor and meets the requirements and conditions of the Fund, then the added value from this work, jobs remain in Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, granting of such loans meets the goals and objectives of the Fund,» Artyom Novikov said.