While the authorities of Kyrgyzstan are changing the Constitution and holding elections, the situation in the country is deteriorating. Drop in GDP continues, as well as the rise in prices for almost all products. Experts’ forecasts are disappointing. Improvement can be expected only until the end of the year, but on condition that the epidemiological situation in the world remains stable.
The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and political events led to the largest collapse of economy in Kyrgyzstan. There is no talk about stabilization of the situation so far. On the contrary, GDP continues to decline for the second month in a row.
In January-March, the GDP of Kyrgyzstan amounted to 118,362 billion soms.
The economy fell by 9.4%. Compared to February, it accelerated by 0.5%.
The Eurasian Development Bank noted that the decline continued in industry, construction, wholesale and retail trade, the transport sector, restaurant and hotel business.
When calculating GDP and its changes compared to last year, many factors are taken into account: prices, production volumes by industry, budget revenues and government expenditures. Kyrgyzstan is an import-dependent country. This means that it buys most of the goods in dollars.
Economic activity in Kyrgyzstan is limited by high uncertainty, a complex epidemiological situation in the country and abroad.
Situation in the industrial sector is also extremely difficult. Constant squabbles between the state and the mining enterprises lead to the fact that their output indicators are falling. Exactly this sector is the flagship of the economy. But the results of the first quarter indicate a significant reduction in production volumes.
In January-March, the drop in industrial production reached 17.9%.
The volume of production of basic metals and finished metal products have reduced (by 38.4%) along with chemical products (by 27.8%), textile production, production of clothing and footwear, leather and leather products (by 14.6%) and mining operations (by 18.1%).
Growth was registered in production of rubber and plastic products, other non-metallic mineral products (+57.3%), wood and paper products, printing activities (+53%), pharmaceutical products (+19.1%), refined petroleum products (+16.5%), food products (including drinks) and tobacco products (+10.1%).
In January-March, compared with December 2020, the rise in prices in the republic amounted to 3.2%. Prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products increased by 5.4%, food and non-alcoholic beverages – by 4.3%, non-food products – by 2%, tariffs for services rendered to the population – by 0.5%.
The rise in prices was observed in all regions of the republic. The maximum growth (4.4%) was recorded in Issyk-Kul region, where food and non-alcoholic beverages rose in price by 7.5%.
According to the National Statistical Committee, an average salary in the republic is 17,940 soms.
Compared to the last year, it has grown at enterprises and organizations of all types of economic activity, with the exception of enterprises and organizations in the field of art, entertainment, recreation and construction.
At the end of March, the subsistence minimum in the country amounted to 5,840.4 soms and for pensioners – 5,183.97 soms.
As a result of February, the foreign trade turnover of Kyrgyzstan amounted to $800.2 million, down by 18.3% YoY, exports – $233.7 million (-25.5%) and imports – $566.5 million (-15%).
Kyrgyzstan gained $392.8 million from the EAEU states.
The Eurasian Development Bank noted that the economic decline in 2020 was the deepest for Kyrgyzstan in the past 26 years. It was characterized by a widespread decline in economic activity.
In 2021, the EDB forecasts a recovery in economic growth and a GDP growth of 3.9%.
This will largely be facilitated by a significant mitigation of sanitary restrictions compared to the previous year. But activation will take place only in the second half of the year. The predicted increase in remittance inflows will support domestic demand.
Weakening of quarantine measures in trading partner countries could have a positive effect on Kyrgyzstan’s supplies abroad. Inflation is expected to slow down at the end of 2021 to 7.3%.
The rise in prices will remain above 10% until September.
The bank noted that the emergence of new strains of the virus could slow down the process of opening borders in the countries – trade partners of the Kyrgyz Republic. This will significantly affect its export-oriented industries and slow down economic recovery.
“An average annual exchange rate of the Kyrgyz som to the dollar in 2021 in the risk forecast will be at the level of 88.3 soms, down by 4% from the baseline. Inflation due to the devaluation of the national currency will reach 10% until the end of 2021. In 2023, it will slow down to 4-4.7% amid weak domestic demand,” the EDB experts warn. (24.kg/Business World Magazine)
