BISHKEK - Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev stated that the country's authorities refused to close a number of banks, despite proposals to do so from Western partners, as this could negatively impact the country's financial stability, Akchabar.kg reports.
According to him, during consultations with Western representatives, the Kyrgyz side proposed conducting an independent audit of the banks using international audit firms. The authorities expressed their willingness to pay for the audit to confirm the absence of violations or links to sanctions evasion.
Kasymaliev noted that Kyrgyzstan was instead offered the closure of some financial institutions. However, as the Prime Minister emphasized, the government did not support this initiative, citing the risks to the banking system and depositors' funds.
He also stated that certain companies that may be involved in questionable financial transactions will be closed in accordance with the law.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that Kyrgyzstan is not participating in sanctions evasion but maintains economic ties with Russia. According to him, the republic continues to import fuel, timber, metal, and other goods from Russia, and also receives a significant volume of remittances from migrant workers.
He added that the use of Russian rubles in the country's banking system is primarily due to transfers from citizens working in Russia and does not indicate illegal activity.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 14, 2026