Published
08/05/2026, 15:40The global restructuring of trade is opening up a rare window of economic opportunity for Kyrgyzstan and the whole of Central Asia; however, only those states capable of anticipating changes and making swift decisions will be able to capitalise on it. This was stated by the former Prime Minister, Akylbek Zhaparov, at an off-site session of the ‘Primakov Lectures’ at Issyk-Kul.
According to him, in the modern economy, speed has evolved from an indicator of administrative efficiency into a competitive advantage in its own right.
“Whereas in the past the big fish ate the small fish, today the fast fish eats the slow fish,” said Zhaparov.
He noted that for Kyrgyzstan, the speed of decision-making and implementation has become a matter of national competitiveness. Territory, natural resources and population size no longer guarantee success in their own right. The state’s ability to identify structural changes in good time, mobilise resources and move from discussion to practical implementation is becoming increasingly important.
As examples, Akylbek Zhaparov cited the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the Kambar-Ata Hydroelectric Power Station No. 1 project and other major transport and energy initiatives. In his view, under President Sadyr Zhaparov, the time lag between setting objectives and beginning to implement them has been significantly reduced.
However, administrative speed alone is not enough. Decisions must be based on expert forecasts, and indeed before a crisis even arises.
Akylbek Japarov recalled that scientists, economists and financiers had warned in advance about the fragmentation of the world economy and the vulnerability of global trade flows; however, these warnings were not always heeded in a timely manner.
“Science does not have a monopoly on the truth. But a state that turns to expert knowledge only after a negative scenario has materialised is utilising its intellectual capital too late,” he stated.
According to the former head of the Cabinet, the state needs scientists not only to explain events that have already taken place, but also to help discern the contours of the future.
This ability is particularly important now, as the geography of the movement of goods and capital is changing, and economic ties between Russia, China, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East are becoming increasingly significant.
However, the construction of new roads and transport corridors does not in itself guarantee economic benefits.
“You can build a railway, but still have high transaction costs at customs. You can reduce the physical time taken to deliver goods, but banking transactions can take weeks,” noted Zaparov.
He believes that, alongside transport infrastructure, countries in the region need to improve payment mechanisms, streamline customs procedures, establish alternative routes and strategic reserves, and set up systems for the rapid exchange of information.
In Zaparov’s view, shared economic chains require a joint system of protection against external shocks. Interdependence without coordination spreads vulnerability, whereas shared institutions make it possible to transform this into collective resilience.
