Imports of industrial goods into Kyrgyzstan surged in January 2026, driven by a construction boom and the modernisation of production capacity, with China supplying $51.2 million in electrical equipment to become the country’s largest trading partner.
The National Statistical Committee reported that imports of electrical machinery and equipment rose by 45.8% year on year to $51.2 million, largely supplied by China. Imports of base metals also increased sharply, rising 2.3-fold to $79.7 million, including $58.8 million in steel products from Russia.
Other key import categories included plastics and related products at $21.1 million, pharmaceuticals at $20.9 million (up 18.1%), and clothing and accessories at $6.3 million, supplied mainly by China, Türkiye and Uzbekistan.
Overall, imports accounted for 87.7% of Kyrgyzstan’s total external trade turnover, which reached $1.05 billion in January, underlining the country’s continued reliance on foreign industrial and technical goods.
Despite strong import growth, export performance remained uneven. Exports of machinery and equipment rose by 54.3% to $9.8 million, while exports of plastics increased by 30.1% to $5.7 million.
However, clothing exports, a key employment sector, declined by 21.2% to $5.5 million, signalling structural challenges in the textile industry. Exports of transport equipment reached $3.6 million, while glass products totalled $1.4 million.
The country recorded a significant trade deficit of $799.3 million, with exports accounting for just 12.3% of total trade.
China and Russia remained the dominant suppliers, accounting for a combined 63% of total imports. China alone contributed 36.6% ($338.6 million), while Russia accounted for 26.4% ($244.3 million).
Other notable import partners included Kazakhstan (9.4%), Uzbekistan (5.7%) and South Korea (5%).
On the export side, Russia and Kazakhstan were the main destinations, each accounting for around 22% of exports, followed by Uzbekistan with a 13% share. Meanwhile, Switzerland ranked fourth, highlighting diversification in export markets.
Imports from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries increased by 27.4%, while imports from non-CIS countries declined by 6.1%, indicating a shift towards regional trade integration.
However, analysts note that Kyrgyzstan remains highly dependent on imports from third countries, which account for 62.3% of total trade. The current trade structure reflects both rising domestic demand and ongoing challenges in developing competitive export industries.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised to avenge the killing of his father, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran and Washingto...
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi have discussed arrangements to ensure the safe passage of shi...
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury. ...
Russia’s fuel shortages are spreading into Central Asia, exposing the region’s heavy reliance on Russian petrol and diesel as governments race to secure alternative supplies and contain rising prices.
Kyrgyzstan has asked the 1.3 million residents of its capital Bishkek to leave the city while it hosts two international events at the end of August. In an appeal posted on social media, the government said it wanted to reduce disruption to people due to expected road closures during the period.
The posibility of launching direct flights between Tbilisi and Bishkek was floated by Georgian Prime Minister Irkali Kobakhidze and Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov during an official visit by the former to the Central Asian nation.
The European Union’s proposed 21st sanctions package against Russia could affect companies in Central Asia, including firms in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as Brussels moves to tighten controls on sanctions circumvention.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
Dozens of flights have been cancelled across East Asia as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches China. The typhoon, which has maximum sustained winds of 162 kph (100mph), is nearing a remote chain of Japanese islands, east of Taiwan on Friday.
What began as a fan-created chant just months ago has become one of the defining images of this year's FIFA World Cup, with Norway's "Viking Row" sweeping through stadiums, city streets and social media.
British police have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former government minister whose death was announced on Friday.
This is the last of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
At least 44 people have died and more than one million have been stranded due to widespread flooding and landslides across southeastern Bangladesh, authorities said on Saturday (11 July).
Turkish prosecutors have ordered the detention of 36 people, including the mayor of an Ankara district controlled by the main opposition, over alleged bribery and tender-rigging.
Temperatures above 40°C are scorching parts of Central Asia, prompting the World Health Organization to warn that extreme heat is becoming an increasing public health threat across the region.
This is the third of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment