On December 24, representatives of the 30 largest business associations, representing more than 90 percent of the country's taxpayers, met with candidates for the post of President of the Kyrgyz Republic to discuss ways to develop the country's economy and business and sign a joint declaration.

“All the candidates present supported the business and signed a declaration. A constructive dialogue took place, in which businesses expressed their wishes for the further development of the country's economy, and the candidates were able to briefly present their economic programs," Executive Director of the International Business Council Askar Sydykov said.

At the meeting, a lively exchange of views took place on a variety of economic issues, including attracting investment, pressure from tax, customs and law enforcement agencies, compliance with the Constitution, the need to reform the judicial system, the importance of integration into the global digital community, development of regions, and much more.

“It is important that the presidential candidates have undertaken obligations to develop the economy before the elections,” the IBC head said.

A similar event – the signing of a social contract with business was held before the parliamentary elections. Continuing this tradition, business associations decided to sign a declaration with the presidential candidates.

The candidates, in turn, confirmed their commitment to following the most important business messages for developing a market economy and protecting investments.

The declaration was signed by the presidential candidates Eldar Abakirov, Myktybek Arstanbek, Ravshan Jeenbekov, Kanybek Imanaliev, Kanatbek Isaev, Aimen Kasenov, Ulukbek Kochkorov, Abdil Segizbaev, and Klara Sooronkulova. For three candidates – Sadyr Japarov, Kursan Asanov and Rashid Tagayev – their representatives put their signatures.

The declaration includes the main business expectations of candidates for the President of the Kyrgyz Republic:

- Protection of investments, private property, as well as other rights and freedoms guaranteed by the current Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic;

- Compliance with the principles of a market economy, including reducing government regulation, ensuring minimal government participation in economic activity, developing the private sector;

- Attracting investment and increasing investor confidence, helping to create a favorable investment climate and business environment;

- Carrying out an effective foreign policy, creating and maintaining an attractive image of Kyrgyzstan in the international arena, promoting international trade and enhancing foreign economic activity;

- Carrying out a full-scale judicial reform, including ensuring maximum independence of judges from the institution of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and other government branches;

- Elimination of interference and illegal actions of security agencies, law enforcement and supervisory authorities in relation to business entities;

- Ensuring stability, development of the financial system and monetary policy based on the experience of the developed countries of the world;

- Attracting professional and conscientious personnel to leading positions in government agencies, diplomatic missions of Kyrgyzstan abroad;

- Assistance in carrying out structural reforms aimed at joining Kyrgyzstan by 2023 among the first 40 countries in the world in international rankings of economic freedom, global competitiveness, perception of corruption in society, efficiency of public administration, and other international authoritative indicators.

The video of the event can be found at the link: https://www.facebook.com/ibc.kg/videos/813142462749225