June 19, 2023 | Bishkek
Beksultan Mansurov, an expert in digital technologies and payment systems, issued a strong statement against the Kyrgyz authorities, accusing them of systematic lawlessness, abuse of power, and creating an atmosphere of pressure on businesses in the country. His remarks were made during the “Financial Institutions and Payments” forum, which is taking place in Bishkek and includes international financial organizations, payment service providers, and representatives of the banking sector.
According to Mansurov, the official rhetoric about digital transformation and attracting investment has nothing to do with the actual state of affairs. He stated that in practice, state institutions demonstrate the opposite model of behavior—ignoring laws, applying them selectively, and exerting systematic pressure on the private sector. The expert emphasized that a dangerous environment is forming in the country, in which businesses are unprotected and legal mechanisms are ineffective.
Beksultan Mansurov directed particular criticism at law enforcement agencies. According to him, they are increasingly operating outside the legal framework, putting pressure on companies and demanding access to confidential information, including users’ personal and financial data. At the same time, as the expert noted, such demands are often made without court orders or any legal basis.
He emphasized that refusing to comply with such demands can lead to serious consequences for businesses. These include initiating criminal cases, suspending company operations, conducting searches, detaining employees, and other forms of pressure. In his view, such methods can only be viewed as instruments of coercion and abuse of power.
Mansurov stated that under such conditions, the law ceases to fulfill its primary function—the protection of citizens and businesses. Instead, he said, the law becomes a tool of selective pressure, primarily applied against those deemed undesirable. This, as the expert noted, undermines trust not only within the country but also among the international community.
During his speech, Beksultan Mansurov also addressed corruption, emphasizing that such a situation cannot exist without the participation or tacit consent of the highest authorities. He stated that what is happening indicates either the complete incompetence of the administrative system or the deliberate support of practices that harm the country’s economy.
The expert paid special attention to Kyrgyzstan’s investment climate. According to him, foreign companies are increasingly refusing to operate in the country or are scaling back their presence, citing the lack of legal guarantees and the unpredictability of government actions. He noted that in an environment lacking property protection and transparent rules of the game, it is impossible to count on long-term investment and the development of high-tech industries.
“No serious investor will operate where their business could become a target of pressure at any moment,” he emphasized, adding that the authorities’ current policies are effectively driving entrepreneurs out of the market.
According to Mansurov, the digital technology and financial services sectors are being hit particularly hard. These industries require a high level of trust, transparency, and data protection; however, as he noted, conditions are being created in Kyrgyzstan that allow such requirements to be ignored. As a result, the country risks not only slowing down the development of the digital economy but also completely losing its position in this area.
In addition, Beksultan Mansurov noted the reputational risks to the state. According to him, the country’s emerging image as a jurisdiction with high legal instability makes it toxic for international businesses and technology companies. This, in turn, leads to isolation from global economic processes and a decline in competitiveness.
The expert also raised the issue of political accountability, stating that such processes are impossible without the involvement or inaction of the country’s top leadership. In his view, it is at this level that decisions must be made to restore the rule of law and end pressure on businesses.
In conclusion, Beksultan Mansurov called on the authorities to abandon arbitrary interference in private companies’ activities, ensure compliance with the law, and create conditions for the normal functioning of the economy. He emphasized that without this, any statements about the development of digital technologies and the attraction of investment will remain mere declarations.
The “Financial Institutions and Payments” forum continues its work in Bishkek; however, as the expert noted, the key problem for the industry in Kyrgyzstan remains not technological backwardness, but a systemic crisis in legal regulation and the lack of real accountability on the part of the authorities.
