Kyrgyz president calls for developing regions as way to stop emigration
BISHKEK. Dec 25 (Interfax) - The best way to stop the emigration of able-bodied Kyrgyz citizens is to develop the regions and create more jobs, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"The question of migrants is extremely difficult. Migration is happening because of a lack of jobs. We are unable to bring these people back. So it is my task to create the domestic conditions for future generations," Jeenbekov said.
The republic is implementing a program supporting the regions, and roughly 38 billion som ($544 million) have been assigned as loans for farmers and processing industries, he said.
According to the Kyrgyz State Migration Service, more than 710,000 Kyrgyz citizens are working abroad, including more than 640,000 in Russia; 30,000 in Kazakhstan; 30,000 in Turkey; and 15,000 in South Korea.