It is necessary for Kyrgyzstan to join the Customs Union (CU) as 95 percent of its products are exported to the CU countries. This statement was made by Jumakadyr Akeneev, president of the Kyrgyz Association of Oil Traders during the international conference "Development of parliamentary democracy in Kyrgyzstan," on Friday, KyrTAG reported.
"We have opposite opinions on the CU," he said. "The main argument of the CU opponents is that Kyrgyzstan is a member of the World Trade Organization. But I would like to point out that the issue of Kyrgyzstan's joining the CU is required. About 95 percent of our products are exported to the CU countries. We should be a part of this integration association".
"Imports from China officially hits $ 780 million," he said. "About 12 percent of them VAT and 5 percent customs duties are charged and go to the state budget. But in fact, annual imports from China hit $10 billion. Thus the country's budget loses $1.5 billion. Only 4 percent of goods imported from China is used by our citizens.
He said that Kyrgyzstan stopped producing sugar and rice. "Cheap Chinese goods have led to the fact that our enterprises are closed," Akeneev said "We have already imported artificial eggs, caviar, fruits. Soon we will stop the production of milk and meat"
He said that Kyrgyzstan will benefit from joining the CU.