List of preferential border settlements of Kyrgyzstan to be expanded

Bishkek, Feb. 3, 2022 . / Kabar / . First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Arzybek Kozhoshev held on Thursday a meeting on the implementation of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On the Status of Batken Oblast".

The press service of the Cabinet reported that during the meeting, it was noted that in accordance with the adopted law, a special tax and investment regime will operate throughout Batken Oblast; state and municipal services will be provided to the population of the region on preferential and free terms (medical and other); a special council for the development of the oblast will be created; and funds from the republican budget will be allocated for the development of the region in the amount of KGS 500 million annually.

Arzybek Kozhoshev added that as part of this law, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to approve a list of 62 preferential border settlements. This list is not exhaustive, and will be supplemented within the law and in compliance with all necessary procedures.

"This list does not include all border villages of Batken Oblast, as there are special conditions for their inclusion. It is a legal requirement, all three conditions must be met. We want to reconsider this decision and already in the second stage include other villages in need of preferences in the list. Our main goal is to strengthen border villages and really need help from the state. We will not be able to do everything at once, especially since the situation in the oblast for 12 years of its existence is not the best. The most important thing is that the work has started, the deputy chairman of the Cabinet noted.

He also stressed the distribution of the investment portfolio and state guarantees for the protection of investments.

"Investments will be attracted according to a different principle. In this regard, the special status of Batken Oblast implies attracting investments precisely in those villages that are not in the border areas. For example, investments will be attracted to Kadamzhai and Kyzyl-Kiya towns, and 62 villages will have tax, land preferences and other types of state support. We need a comprehensive and flexible approach here," said the official.