GDP growth in 2018 reached 3.5% - Abylgaziev

Bishkek, Apr. 12, 2019. / Kabar /. GDP growth in 2018 reached 3.5%, Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mukhammedkaliy Abylgaziev told during his report on the activities of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2018 at a meeting of the coalition of the parliamentary majority of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, the government’s press service reported.
Mukhammedkaliy Abylgaziev noted that growth was provided by the following sectors: construction - 7.8%, industry - 5.5%, agriculture - 2.7% and services - 2.1%.
"The ratio of external debt to GDP decreased from 53.1% to 48%. It should be particularly noted that macroeconomic stability was ensured by the mobilization of its own resources, reduction of government expenses and not at the expense of funds raised and borrowed," said Abylgaziev.
The prime minister stressed that a stable trend in foreign trade was maintained.
"In 2018, the republic had trade relations with 143 countries, exports were made to 93 countries. The total amount of foreign trade amounted to $ 6.7 billion with an increase of 6.6%. Of these, $ 1.8 billion is exports and $ 4.9 billion - imports," he said.
He added that exports to the Eurasian Economic Union countries amounted to 5%, and imports - 4.7%, which indicates an increase in the country's export potential.
Foreign direct investment amounted to $ 570 million, the outflow of investments decreased by 27.7%.
"As the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov said on the eve, a number of measures were taken to improve the investment climate, including the creation of a business ombudsman’s institute, the introduction of a two-year moratorium on the inspection of business entities, exemption from customs duties of electric cars, , exemption from some taxes tractor stations, trade and logistics centers and agricultural cooperatives," said Abylgaziev.