Opportunities for this were found in the program of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum
The importance of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) for the Kyrgyz labor migrant is undeniable. At this key platform, the Republic has the opportunity to raise important issues and propose solutions.
For decades, it has been a donor country for the EAEU labor market, primarily Russia, where the number of employed citizens of the republic exceeds half a million people, and the volume of transfers is constantly growing. In 2024, migrants transferred $ 2.73 billion from Russia to Kyrgyzstan, which exceeds 50% of the state budget for 2024.
At the same time, the number of migrants from Kyrgyzstan in Russia in 2024 sharply decreased - from 850 thousand people to 411. Experts explain this fact by the strengthening of the work of law enforcement agencies in the field of foreign labor. Over the past two years, the Russian system has shifted towards drastic measures provided for by migration legislation, which has drawn criticism from its EAEU partners.
Since the labor market of the Eurasian Economic Union has not yet been formed, entrepreneurs in the employment sector are looking for ways to regulate it. In particular, it is expected that the upcoming XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be held from June 18 to 21, will be representative in terms of the topic of labor resources of the EAEU.
As stated in the forum program, its main goal is not only to discuss the challenges facing the global economy, but also to develop practical solutions for adapting to new conditions.
— Common values are the basis for growth in a multipolar world, — the editorial board of "Business Eurasia" was explained in the Forum organizing committee. — This topic reflects the urgent need to find a balance between integration and the preservation of national identity, strengthening economic sovereignty in a multipolar world.
In 2025, Kyrgyzstan will be among the "headliners" of the event, which emphasizes the growing role of the country in the international arena. Key events with Kyrgyz participation will be the Russia-Kyrgyzstan business dialogue, the participation of the delegation in the Day of International SME Cooperation. Kyrgyz participants have high expectations from the session on migration issues.
Labor migration, the movement of labor is a critical element of economic development and economic policy. Understanding this phenomenon, whether in Russia or abroad, cannot be limited to issues of changing legislation or regulations. It is important to understand the economic effect and long-term social consequences for both the recipient country and the donor country of labor resources. Migration can both unite and create serious lines of division between neighboring countries, in international politics in general.
— The migration issue is really more than just legislative formalities and the everyday arrangements for a worker coming from one country to another, — says Kanat Chinbotoev, director of an international employment company. — It is a whole range of tasks, especially important for remote areas. We recently studied the Indonesian and Vietnamese markets and saw many opportunities for our country and for our Kyrgyz partners. Kyrgyzstan can be a regional migration hub for our neighbors, because we have the same mentality. After all, Russia suffers from a labor shortage, and workers from Indonesia or Vietnam can first work in Kyrgyzstan, where they will study the culture of both Central Asia and Russia. This will train professional personnel, even in the Russian language, after which they can take tests, and this is a much better offer for the Russian labor market than just a good specialist. Thus, Kyrgyzstan can positively influence the migration situation in Russia. This is a joint decision that will strengthen security, the economy, entrepreneurs and businessmen.
In the specialized session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Kyrgyzstan will be represented by the Kyrgyz Ambassador to Russia Kubanychbek Bokontayev. Officials talk about the problems of migrants. The issues of human capital development remain untouched. In this regard, the interlocutor notes a weak initiative that would be useful for each participant in the labor market.
— All business starts with labor. And right now in St. Petersburg Kyrgyzstan can actively show Russia our system that we offer. And this is a good opportunity. It is based on traditional Russian bonds — all countries of the Eurasian Economic Union are former Soviet republics. And it is in these republics that a good system can be created and further developed. Everything is changing, and the economy too. If just recently no one could have imagined that foreigners would work in Kyrgyzstan, with its small salaries, and there was strong migration to Russia, now local entrepreneurs have begun to invite foreigners. Now there are visiting workers, and with them there are all the social issues and law and order issues. That is, Kyrgyzstan, like Russia, already has something to talk about and something to offer. For example, when it is necessary to deport a migrant, the question arises at whose expense this should be done, then we propose introducing a standard for making a deposit when a migrant receives a visa. We know that in Russia this issue of the legal regime for visitors is acute, and we are ready to raise it at SPIEF-2025.
Vasily Kochanov
Business Eurasia