‘Uchkun’ has entered the export market: Kyrgyzstan has printed passports for Kenya and received an order from Laos

Following modernisation, the state-owned enterprise ‘Uchkun’ has begun producing passports, ID cards and even national currency not only for Kyrgyzstan but also for foreign countries.

Adybek Nabiev, head of the Jumgal District State Administration, reported that in recent years the ‘Uchkun’ enterprise has undergone a complete overhaul and expanded its production capacity.

Previously, Kyrgyzstan had commissioned the production of passports, vehicle registration documents and driving licences abroad. Now, according to the authorities, these documents are produced entirely within the country.

Uchkun also produces ID cards, educational materials and the national currency, the KGS. Previously, such orders placed a strain on the budget and, it is claimed, contributed to capital flight and corruption schemes.

According to the authorities, the company has already fulfilled orders for passports for Kenya and is also working with Laos. A delegation from Togo, which visited the production facility in Bishkek, has also expressed interest in cooperation. The visitors assessed the work of the workshops and announced potential future orders for passports and currency.

President Sadyr Japarov had previously stated that Kyrgyzstan had reached a level enabling it not only to meet domestic needs but also to print currency on behalf of other countries.