During a session of the Jogorku Kenesh, Deputy Gulya Kozhokulova raised concerns about the shutdown of the "Mir" payment system. She highlighted the impact of disabling "Mir" cards just before the tourist season, as Kyrgyzstan expects around 2 million visitors this year.
Addressing the Prime Minister, she questioned the effects on the Russian-Kyrgyz economic ties and the payment processes for Kyrgyz exporters to Russia. In response, Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov explained that the software and maintenance of the Interbank Processing Center are managed by a Latvian company, which threatened to disconnect the center if "Mir" card operations continued.
Japarov mentioned ongoing discussions and plans to address the situation, emphasizing the importance of economic cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union. He also stressed the need to protect Kyrgyzstan's economy and national interests amidst external pressures.
The Prime Minister disclosed that in 2023, only 4% of tourists used "Mir" cards. The decision to halt "Mir" card services in Kyrgyzstan was made to avoid potential secondary sanctions, following the termination of relations with the National Processing Company.
As the country navigates these challenges, Japarov reassured a commitment to safeguarding the economy and national interests, despite the external factors at play.
