12:06, 12 мая 2023, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Gulmira Makanbai kyzy
The source of funds for development of the largest iron ore deposit Zhetim-Too in Naryn region has been found. The head of the presidential press service, Daiyrbek Orunbekov, reported on Facebook.
He noted that provocative information that does not correspond to reality has recently begun to be spread on social media. The messages indicated that the government allegedly plans to transfer Zhetim-Too to the Chinese side to pay off the public debt.
«We will 100 percent develop Zhetim-Too ourselves. Not a single percent can be given to anyone. The source of funds for operation of the deposit has already been determined, the state will build a metallurgical plant, which will employ local residents. No foreign companies will participate in it. Zhetim-Too deposit will bring more revenue to the state than Kumtor,» Daiyrbek Orunbekov wrote.
He added that the exploration work was underway, and development will begin as soon as it is completed.
In August 2022, the head of state Sadyr Japarov stated that Kyrgyzstan intended to independently develop Zhetim-Too field. However, no work is being done there. At the same time, he emphasized that an order had been given to carry out geological exploration to clarify the ore reserves at the deposit.
Then Sadyr Japarov reminded: if the residents of Naryn refuse to implement this project, they should understand that nothing falls from the sky and no one will give funds for the construction of schools and roads, improvement of infrastructure and salary increase.