GENERAL
Official name of the state
Kyrgyz Republic.
Capital
Bishkek (formerly Frunze).
Geography
As a country located in Asia according to themeparktour, Kyrgyzstan borders on Kazakhstan in the north, Uzbekistan in the west, Tajikistan in the south and China in the east. The imposing Tienschan Mountains take up a large part of the land area. The Pik Pobedy is the highest point in the country with 7439 m.
Government
Presidential republic since 1991. Constitution of 1993, last amendment 2003. Bicameral Parliament (Zhogorku Kenesh): Legislative assembly with 35 and Council of Representatives with 70 members. Direct election of the head of state every 5 years. Since 1991 independent state of the CIS.
Head of state
Almazbek Atambayev, since December 2011.
Head of government
Sooronbay Jeenbekov, since April 2016.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
Kyrgyzstan Time: CET +7
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official languages are Kyrgyz, which is one of the Turkic languages, and Russian. In view of the large proportion of the Russian population in Kyrgyzstan, Russian is legally protected as a national language. Employees in the tourism industry usually also speak English.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Kyrgyzstan duty-free (people over 16 years):
1000 cigarettes or 1 kg of tobacco products;
1.5 liters of spirits and 2 liters of wine;
Perfume and eau de toilette for personal use.
When entering the country, tourists must fill out a customs declaration form that must be kept until they leave. This entitles the holder to import items for personal use, including currencies and valuables, which must be listed on the form. Customs clearance may take some time.
Prohibited imports
Medicines as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, images or written material directed against Kyrgyzstan.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business hours: Mo-Fr 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sa 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (March – October).
Government office hours : Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Nov-Feb).
Economy
Federation of German Industry, Eastern Committee of German Business,
Breite Strasse 29, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 28 14 52, 20 28 15 51.
Internet: www.ostausschuss.de
Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Foreign Trade Organization, Eastern Europe Department
Wiedner Hauptstrasse 63, A-1045 Vienna
Tel: (01) 501 05 43 22.
Internet: www.wko.at
United Economic
Chambers Sonnenbergstrasse 48, CH-8032 Zurich
Tel: (044) 268 43 00.
Internet: www.jointchambers.ch
State Committee for Foreign Investment and Economic Aid (Goskominvest)
Ul. Erkindik 58a, room 210, 720040 Bishkek
Tel: (0312) 22 32 92.
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan
Prospect Erkindik 58, 720874 Bishkek
Tel: (0312) 66 13 50.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan
Kievskaja 107, 720001 Bishkek
Tel: (0312) 21 05 74.
Business contacts
Federation of German Industry, Eastern Committee of German Business,
Breite Strasse 29, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 28 14 52, 20 28 15 51.
Internet: www.ostausschuss.de
Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Foreign Trade Organization, Eastern Europe Department
Wiedner Hauptstrasse 63, A-1045 Vienna
Tel: (01) 501 05 43 22.
Internet: www.wko.at
United Economic
Chambers Sonnenbergstrasse 48, CH-8032 Zurich
Tel: (044) 268 43 00.
Internet: www.jointchambers.ch
State Committee for Foreign Investment and Economic Aid (Goskominvest)
Ul. Erkindik 58a, room 210, 720040 Bishkek
Tel: (0312) 22 32 92.
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan
Prospect Erkindik 58, 720874 Bishkek
Tel: (0312) 66 13 50.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan
Kievskaja 107, 720001 Bishkek
Tel: (0312) 21 05 74.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
International telephone calls can be made from telephone offices that are usually attached to the post office. You can also call abroad from the reception of some hotels. All long-distance calls abroad are handled by the long-distance exchange in Kyrgyzstan. The area code for Bishkek is 312. Local calls from home phones are free, but hotels sometimes charge a small fee. When making long-distance calls between the former member states of the Soviet Union, dial “8” first and wait for another dial tone. Then you choose the area code of the city and the desired participant number.
Cellphone
GSM 900. The main network operator is Bitel Ltd (Internet: www.bitel.kg). The reception / transmission range is limited to the largest cities and their surroundings.
Internet
The main Internet providers are VPM Internet Services, Asiainfo (Internet: www.asiainfo.kg), ElCat (Internet: www.elcat.kg) and Intra Net (Internet: www.intranet.kg). There are internet cafes in Bishkek.
Post Office
Mail to Western Europe takes between two weeks and two months. You can buy envelopes with stamps at the post office. Mail to Kyrgyzstan should be addressed in the following order: country’s zip code, city, street, house number and finally the name of the addressee. Opening times: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Visitors can also use the post offices in the large hotels.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
The bazaars in Bishkek, Osh and Al-Medin are particularly known for their handicrafts and the wide range of food on offer. Especially popular are embroidered felt caps (known. Kalpaks), felt carpets and chess games with traditional Kyrgyz figures.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Both Russian and European ballets and operas are performed at the State Opera House in Bishkek. Folk music and plays have again enjoyed great popularity since the declaration of independence, and excerpts from the Manas, the Kyrgyz national epic, are performed in front of full houses.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are no restrictions on the choice of accommodation for foreigners. Accommodation outside of Bishkek is limited, however, and travelers cannot expect western comfort or standards. Generally, the accommodations are clean. Tourists must pay a special tourist tariff in US dollars, which may be ten times more expensive than the normal tariff. Special tour operators with local contacts can often achieve better prices for their customers. Some hotels outside the capital are still concerned about accepting individual travelers from abroad.
CULTURE
Religion
Mainly Sunni Muslims. Russian Orthodox and Buddhist minorities.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Continental climate with relatively little rainfall. Heavy snowfalls occur in winter.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +996 Area (sqkm) 199951 Population 5664939 Population density (per sqkm) 28 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 103
