KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since April 2015, last amended in July 2025
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Decision No. 30 of the Eurasian Economic Commission Board "On Measures of Non-tariff regulation" (Решение Коллегии Евразийской экономической комиссии от 21 апреля 2015 г. N 30 "О мерах нетарифного регулирования")
Appendix No. 2 to the Decision of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 30 of 21 April 2015 (“On Measures of Non-Tariff Regulation”) sets out the Union-wide list of goods restricted for import into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), including the Kyrgyz Republic. The list includes, among others, (i) radio-electronic and high-frequency equipment for civilian use—devices for transmitting or receiving voice, images, or data (e.g., headings in HS 8471, 8517–8519, 8521, 8525–8528, 8531, and certain Chapter 90 items); (ii) systems and receivers for technical radio monitoring and for detecting sources of electromagnetic emissions (e.g., HS 8526–8527); and (iii) encryption (cryptographic) means, including computing machines and parts with cryptographic functions, computer devices incorporating encryption, and standalone cryptographic software (selected subheadings of HS 8471/8473 and 8523).
Coverage Telecom and cryptographic equipment
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since October 2013, last amended in December 2024
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 195 on the Licensing and Permitting System in the Kyrgyz Republic (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ 2013-жылдын 19-октябры № 195 Кыргыз Республикасындагы лицензиялык-уруксат берүү тутуму жөнүндө)
Art. 15.13 of the Law on Licensing-Permitting System of the Kyrgyz Republic establishes that licenses are required for activities related to data transfers, including the identification, authenticity of the international unique identification code of mobile communication devices and devices used for data transmission operating and imported into the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Coverage Mobile communication devices and devices used for data transmission
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since April 1999
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Signature of the WTO Telecom Reference Paper
WTO Telecom Reference Paper
The Kyrgyz Republic has appended the World Trade organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of commitments.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Presence of an independent telecom authority
Lack of an independent telecom authority
The Ministry of Digital Development's Service for the Regulation and Supervision of the Communications Sector is the telecommunications authority of the Kyrgyz Republic. It is reported that its decision-making process is not independent of the government.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250310122952/https://datahub.itu.int/data/?i=100088&s=3109&e=KGZ
- https://freedomhouse.org/country/kyrgyzstan/freedom-net/2023
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240703104421/https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/TPR/S411R1.pdf&Open=True
- https://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/42
- Show more...
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since April 2008, last amended in November 2021
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Indicator Conditional flow regime
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic of 14 April 2008 No. 58 on Personal Information (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ Жеке мүнөздөгү маалымат жөнүндө 2008-жылдын 14-апрелиндеги № 58)
Pursuant to Art. 25 of the Law No. 58 on Personal Information, the cross-border transfer of personal data is permitted in the case where a personal data holder located within the Kyrgyz jurisdiction transfers such databases on the basis of an international agreement between the parties, according to which the receiving party provides an adequate level of protection of the rights and freedoms of personal data subjects. If a certain country does not provide an adequate level of protection of personal data, personal data may be transferred in the following cases:
- with the consent of a data subject for such transfer;
- where such a transfer is necessary for the protection of a data subject's interest; or
- where personal data is contained in a publicly available array of personal data.
It should be emphasized that in the case of transferring personal data via the internet, the personal data holder transferring such data shall ensure that data is transferred with the necessary means of protection.
- with the consent of a data subject for such transfer;
- where such a transfer is necessary for the protection of a data subject's interest; or
- where personal data is contained in a publicly available array of personal data.
It should be emphasized that in the case of transferring personal data via the internet, the personal data holder transferring such data shall ensure that data is transferred with the necessary means of protection.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
N/A
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Indicator Participation in trade agreements committing to open cross-border data flows
Lack of participation in agreements with binding commitments on data flows
The Kyrgyz Republic has not joined any agreement with binding commitments to open transfers of data across borders.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since April 2008, last amended in November 2021
Pillar Domestic data policies |
Indicator Framework for data protection
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic of 14 April 2008 No. 58 on Personal Information (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ Жеке мүнөздөгү маалымат жөнүндө 2008-жылдын 14-апрелиндеги № 58)
Law No. 58 on Personal Information provides a comprehensive regime of data protection in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Law provides general requirements for data controllers and processors. There is not yet a data protection authority and thus there has yet to be any enforcement action related to the data protection or further guidance on compliance.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230514222014/http://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/act/view/ru-ru/202269/20?cl=ky-kg&mode=tekst
- https://www.dataguidance.com/jurisdiction/kyrgyzstan
- https://www.dataguidance.com/notes/krygyzstan-data-transfers
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240224114606/https://unctad.org/page/cyberlaw-tracker-country-detail?country=kg
- Show more...
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since June 2014, last amended in November 2022
Pillar Domestic data policies |
Indicator Minimum period for data retention
Instruction on the Procedure for Interaction of Telecommunication Operators and Mobile Cellular Operators with State Bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic Carrying Out Operational-Search Activities (НУСКАМА Электр байланышынын операторлорунун жана мобилдүү уюктук байланыштын операторлорунун изин суутпай издөө ишин жүзөгө ашырган Кыргыз Республикасынын мамлекеттик органдары менен өз ара аракетинин тартиби жөнүндө)
Section 15 of the "Instruction on the Procedure for Interaction of Telecommunication Operators and Mobile Cellular Operators with State Bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic Carrying Out Operational-Search Activities" requires ISPs and mobile service providers to store subscribers’ metadata for up to three years.
Coverage ISPs and mobile service providers
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Reported in 2018, last reported in 2024
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of effective enforcement of copyright
Copyright is not adequately enforced online in the Kyrgyz Republic. It is reported that IPR enforcement is lax and there have been no successful prosecution for IPR violations in the history of the Kyrgyz Republic. It is also reported that the judicial system remains underdeveloped and lacks independence and the appeals process can be lengthy.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since September 1998, entry into force in March 2002
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Kyrgyz Republic has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since May 2002, entry into force in August 2002
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Kyrgyz Republic has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since March 1998, last amended in August 2018
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Mandatory disclosure of business trade secrets such as algorithms or source code
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 27 about Trade Secrets (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ 1998-жылдын 30-арты N 27 Коммерциялык сыр жөнүндө)
Art. 11.2 of the Law No. 27 of the Kyrgyz Republic states that State control and law enforcement bodies have the right to familiarise themselves with the information considered to be commercial secrets within the limits of their competence in accordance with the powers of control and supervision granted to them by law. Access to commercial secrets is provided to the financial intelligence agency in accordance with the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of combating the financing of terrorist activity and the legalisation (laundering) of criminal proceeds.
Nevertheless, Art. 11.3 and 11.4 establish that obtaining documents containing information considered to be commercial secrets shall be carried out only with the sanction of the prosecutor or his/her deputy and in accordance with the procedure agreed with the head of the relevant institution. Obtaining documents is carried out according to the investigator's decision. Officials of these bodies shall be held liable as provided by law for disclosing information constituting a commercial secret of an economic entity.
Nevertheless, Art. 11.3 and 11.4 establish that obtaining documents containing information considered to be commercial secrets shall be carried out only with the sanction of the prosecutor or his/her deputy and in accordance with the procedure agreed with the head of the relevant institution. Obtaining documents is carried out according to the investigator's decision. Officials of these bodies shall be held liable as provided by law for disclosing information constituting a commercial secret of an economic entity.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since March 1998, last amended in August 2018
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Effective protection covering trade secrets
Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 27 about Trade Secrets (КЫРГЫЗ РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫН МЫЙЗАМЫ 1998-жылдын 30-арты N 27 Коммерциялык сыр жөнүндө)
Law No. 27 of the Kyrgyz Republic provides a framework for the effective protection of trade secrets.
Coverage Horizontal
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Reported in 2022, last reported in 2024
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Passive infrastructure sharing obligation
Requirement of passive infrastructure sharing
There is an obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in the country to deliver telecom services to end users. It is practised in the mobile sector and in the fixed sector based on commercial agreements.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Reported in 2021, last reported in 2024
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Presence of shares owned by the government in telecom companies
Presence of shares owned by the government in the telecom sector
The government owns shares in certain telecom companies. In particular, Alfa Telecom (trademark Mega) is fully owned by the State of Kyrgyzstan. In 2023, the company was internally “sold” from the State Agency for State Property Management to the State Bank of Development. Furthermore, for Kyrgyztelecom Open Joint Stock Company (Kyrgyz Telecom OJSC) the ownership structure consists of 76,8% owned by the Ministry of Digital Development, 12.5% by the Social Fund and the remaining shares are owned by private individuals and entities.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250215224928/https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-investment-climate-statements/kyrgyz-republic/
- https://www.telecompaper.com/news/kyrgyzstan-development-bank-acquires-100-stake-in-megacom--1478997
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240315021814/https://www.kt.kg/about/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240703104421/https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/TPR/S411R1.pdf&Open=True
- Show more...
