A full-cycle fish cluster – from roe to finished products – has been launched in Kyrgyzstan

The ‘Salikh’ fish cluster has been completed in Kyrgyzstan, bringing together feed production, the rearing of fry and market-sized fish, and the processing of fish products. The project was implemented with the support of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF).

Artem Novikov, Chairman of the RKDF Board, noted that the creation of a full production cycle was the result not only of the fund’s work, but also of comprehensive state support aimed at developing domestic production.

“This is not solely the result of the work of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund. Above all, it is the result of the work and objectives set by our President, Sadyr Zhaparov, for the Cabinet of Ministers and financial institutions”, — said Artem Novikov.

According to him, business confidence in the state and the willingness of entrepreneurs to invest in the development of domestic production played a significant role.

Novikov also highlighted the contribution of the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and the Processing Industry, led by Erlist Akunbekov, to improving legislation and supporting processing enterprises.

“A great deal of work has been done by the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and the Processing Industry to amend a whole body of legislation. Substantial subsidies are provided to processing enterprises. Local authorities allocate land plots, and all licensing and permitting issues are resolved fairly quickly”, — emphasised the head of the RKFR.

According to Novikov, cooperation with the company “Salikh” began around four years ago with a project to produce fish feed. This was followed by projects to rear fry and market-sized fish. The final stage was the establishment of a processing facility.

In this way, the company has integrated several stages of production — from the incubation of roe to fish rearing and the manufacture of finished products.

Novikov emphasised that food security for the country is becoming not merely a term in official documents, but the result of implementing specific production projects.

The RKFR also supports other enterprises in the fishing industry, including projects for the rearing of market-sized fish, processing and the production of feed. The total production capacity for fish feed at the enterprises supported by the fund amounts to around 15,000 tonnes per year.

In addition to the fisheries sector, the fund finances projects for the processing of agricultural produce, including fruit, berries and vegetables, as well as the development of sugar production.