Kyrgyzstan applied for $160 million credit in EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund

Kyrgyzstan has applied for the $160 million credit of the EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund. The Finance Minister of Russia, Alexey Kudrin informed, following the results of the session of the fund's council.

"The application has been directed for consideration of the expert group at the fund and in the Eurasian Development Bank that will be subsequently brought to be discussed at the session of the Council of the EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund," the Minister said. He said the application will be considered for 2 - 3 months.

The Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation informed that the next session of the Council of the EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund will take place on April 1, 2010. The session participants will consider the applications for the credits and the current issues of the work of the fund.

Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Armenia signed in June, 2009 in Moscow the contract on establishment of the EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund for the purpose of assistance to further deepening of integration of the economy of the state-participants, maintenance of their economic and financial stability, and overcoming of the negative consequences of the world financial and economic crisis.

Bishkek hosts international exhibition "The fashion industry: products and technology-2010"

IV International exhibition "The fashion industry: products and technology-2010" has been opened in Bishkek. The gala opening was attended by Minister of Economic Management Jenishbek Bayguttiev, director of the Association Legprom "Saparbek Asanov, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Germany in Kyrgyzstan Peter Neven, chairman of the Association “Zamandash" Mukhtar Omurakunov, the delegation of Tatarstan headed by First Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan Ramil Muratov .

Local manufacturers of apparel products, suppliers of fabrics and equipment are participated in the exhibition.

As the head of the Association Legprom Saparbek Asanov has noted that the main purpose of trade fairs to promote and promotion of light industry products to the markets of Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia and Russia by establishing direct links between consumers and domestic producers.

In addition, the exhibition will contest the collections of young designers. The winners of this contest will go to represent Kyrgyzstan at the international competition in New York, and those who will win the second place will go to the competition in Tuaps.

International Exhibition will be held from 26^th February to 2^nd March in the Palace of Sports named after Kozhomkul.  

Kyrgyzstan to allocate 2.5 bln soms to the development of agricultural sphere

Kyrgyzstan plans to allocate 2.5 bln soms to the development of agricultural sphere, informed minister of agriculture Iskenderbek Aidaraliyev.

According to AIdaraliyev, 1 bln soms will be allocated to the purchase of agricultural equipment and 121 bln soms will be allocated to the purchase of seed grains and fuel resources.

Kyrgyzstan confirms Iran intercepted plane, arrested two passengers

Kyrgyzstan has confirmed that Iran forced one of its planes to land and arrested two of the passengers, apparently confirming Tehran's claim that it seized a top Sunni militant on a flight to the Central Asian country.

Taalaibek Turumbekov, deputy chief of Kyrgyzstan Aba Joldoru, the national airline, told that a plane flying from Dubai was made to land in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas on February 23, escorted by two Iranian jets.

Turumbekov said Iranian security forces arrested two of the 119 passengers on board. He said the plane was later allowed to continue its flight to Bishkek:
The aircraft belonged to Kyrgyzstan's Istok-Avia company.
There has been no comment so far from the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry.
Iranian authorities announced on February 23 that that they had seized the leader of the Sunni rebel group Jundallah, Abdolmalek Rigi, on a flight from Dubai to Bishkek.
It was unclear who was the second passenger taken out of the plane, but Iranian media reported that at least one more Jundallah member had also been arrested in the operation.
Jundallah confirmed its leader's arrest on a blog (junbish.blogspot.com) that has been carrying statements by the group in recent years.

Kyrgyzstan to join Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus if it is favorable

Kyrgyzstan will join the Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus only in case it is beneficial for them. The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Daniar Usenov, said at the press conference, Kazakhstan Today reports citing the government's press service.

According to the Prime Minister, Kyrgyzstan as a WTO participant has the right to participate in one of the regional associations. "Today our custom duties coincide with the established in the union on 2.5 thousand positions out of 12 thousand. The other tariffs of the Customs Union participants are higher. Kyrgyzstan experts will carry out calculations and define how beneficial it is for Kyrgyzstan to join the union," he explained.

The Prime Minister also said that the countries - participants of the Customs Union have done big work on joining WTO while Kyrgyzstan is already the member of this organization.

European Union expresses its concern about the situation of human rights and fundamental freedom in Kyrgyzstan

EU expresses concern at the deteriorating situation of human rights and fundamental freedom in Kyrgyzstan. This statement was made at the eleventh meeting of the Cooperation Council between the European Union and Kyrgyzstan, held on Tuesday, February 23.

In response to this situation, the EU called Kyrgyz authorities to take comprehensive measures to address existing problems. European Union strongly suggested demonstrating a strong commitment to practical implementation of reforms that are ready to support this organization.


The Cooperation Council underlined the importance of regional cooperation among the Central Asian region to prevent conflict and socio-economic development of the region, welcomed the active role of Kyrgyzstan in various regional and bilateral initiatives.

However, the Council encouraged the Central Asian countries to seek ways for a lasting solution to the issues of water resource management and energy problems, taking into account the interests of all parties to maintain the fruitful cooperation between the countries of the region.

IMF to allocate 75 mln US dollars to support Kyrgyz budget

IMF will allocate 75 mln US dollars to support Kyrgyz budget, informed PM of Kyrgyzstan Daniar Usenov to the journalists.
“IMF considered the first version of the agreement proposed by the Kyrgyz side. Signing a document with the IMF, the government opens up the relationship with other donors, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and others” said Kyrgyz PM.
According to the Prime Minister, Kyrgyzstan expects to receive $ 300 million in budget support to Kyrgyzstan from the Eurasian anti-crisis fund. In addition, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic intends to attract investment projects $ 3 billion.

"These loans will attract private companies under state guarantees. Loans will be involved only in projects that will pay off, and bring revenues in the budget. Government formulated a new policy”- added  D. Usenov.

Russian military families in Kyrgyzstan to return home

The commander of Russia's military base in Kyrgyzstan says the families of most officers and servicemen will return to Russia beginning on March 1.

Vladimir Nosov told journalists that the Russian Defense Ministry recently imposed new rules on its military personnel serving abroad. Their families will no longer be allowed to live with them on a permanent basis.

Russia opened its military base in Kant, north of Bishkek, in 2003, within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States' Collective Security Treaty. There are some 250 Russian officers and around 150 other personnel stationed there.

Nosovo said that eventually up to 90 percent of the military personnel at Kant will be sent to Russia and replaced by troops without families.

Kazakhs allow trucks into Kyrgyzstan after weeks of delay

Kazakh officials have allowed a group of trucks to enter Kyrgyzstan after holding many of them at the border for weeks.

Kyrgyz businessmen had been complaining that dozens of trucks bound for Kyrgyzstan were stopped without explanation by Kazakh customs officials at the Konusbaev checkpoint on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border and at the Hargos checkpoint on the Kazakh-Chinese border.

Most of the trucks were coming from China, Turkey, and Iran. Many had been kept at the border since February 1.

Some businessmen were told that the delay was connected to Kazakhstan's membership in the customs union with Russia and Belarus, which came into force on January 1 and created changes in customs procedures.

Jailed Former Kyrgyz Defense Minister To Appeal To Higher Court

Former Kyrgyz Defense Minister Ismail Isakov, who was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to eight years in prison last month, will appeal his case to the Constitutional Court.

Isakov's lawyer, Azimbek Beknazarov, told RFE-RL on February 22 that there were constitutional violations during the military appeals court process that ended on February 19. The court upheld Isakov's conviction.

Beknazarov added that Isakov will soon be transferred to a different prison.

Meanwhile, activist Taalai Zikirov told RFE-RL that Isakov's supporters are planning to march from Isakov's remote home region of Alai toward Bishkek and will block the road from Osh to Erkechtam.

Hundreds of Isakov's supporters have staged protests and hunger strikes in Bishkek and Alai since he was sentenced on January 11.

Isakov was a close associate of President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who appointed him defense minister shortly after the 2005 Tulip Revolution. Isakov was named National Security Council secretary in May 2008. Five months later he resigned and joined the opposition.

Isakov and his supporters say the charges against him are politically motivated and the direct consequence of his decision to join the opposition.

All information based on the newswire of the Zpress.kg news agency