Kyrgyzstan President Japarov Allays Fears Over Foreign Land Leases

Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov has moved to dispel public anxieties surrounding the long-term leasing of land to foreign investors. In an interview with the "Kabard" news agency, Japarov asserted that this practice is not a new development but a mechanism that has been operational in Kyrgyzstan for many years.

The primary objective of the current adjustments, according to the president, is to align existing regulations with contemporary requirements, enhance oversight, and increase investor accountability for fulfilling their commitments. Japarov pointed to well-known investment projects in Bishkek, such as the Vefa Center and Beta Stores, as examples of successful developments realized through long-term land leases. He stressed that these enterprises are integrated within the national legal framework, employ thousands of citizens, support hundreds of businesses, and contribute regular tax revenues, underscoring that such structures cannot be removed from the country.

President Japarov reiterated a fundamental aspect of Kyrgyz law: foreign citizens and companies are prohibited from owning land within the republic. They can only obtain the right to use land for a specific period through lease agreements, subject to rental payments, while the land itself remains state property. He criticized interpretations suggesting a new law facilitates land transfer to foreigners, stating this is inaccurate.

"Therefore, to present the situation as if some new law was adopted today and land began to be transferred to foreigners is not true," Japarov stated. "Let me repeat once more: this is about a mechanism for attracting investment that has been used for a long time. Today, the state is improving this mechanism and strengthening the responsibility of investors. The policy is to eliminate cases where land is leased but nothing is built for years. Unfortunately, some distort the meaning, trying to cause unfounded anxiety in society. Let them show at least one hundred square meters of land that is owned by a foreigner. There are no such examples," he concluded.

“

Therefore, to present the situation as if some new law was adopted today and land began to be transferred to foreigners is not true. Let me repeat once more: this is about a mechanism for attracting investment that has been used for a long time. Today, the state is improving this mechanism and strengthening the responsibility of investors. The policy is to eliminate cases where land is leased but nothing is built for years. Unfortunately, some distort the meaning, trying to cause unfounded anxiety in society. Let them show at least one hundred square meters of land that is owned by a foreigner. There are no such examples.