The size of non-observed (hidden and informal) economy in the sphere of production in 2017 amounted to 125.2 billion soms, or 23.6% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP, the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan says.
According to it, the decline in the share of the non-observed economy to GDP was recorded in the wholesale and retail trade and the repair of cars and motorcycles – from 16.4% to 16.1%. The shadow economy is the highest in this sector.
The indicators in construction (from 1.9% to 1.7%) and manufacturing industries (from 1.5% to 1.4%) decreased. The share of the shadow economy in transport and cargo protection remained the same – 1.9%.
In 2018, at the request of the government, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) hired an international company PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). It should conduct a large study and determine the real size of the shadow economy in Kyrgyzstan. (24.kg/Business World Magazine)
