Executive Director of the International Business Council (IBC), Kyrgyzstan’s largest international business association (non-profit) uniting over 100 major taxpayers that account to more than 20% of the country’s budget revenues. In this role since June 2016, Mr. Sydykov has been involved in initiating and supporting business-friendly laws and regulations in investment, natural resources, ICT, finance, tourism and food processing industries, as well as helping to attract and protect foreign investment in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Independent Board Member and Audit Committee Chairman at Halyk Bank Kyrgyzstan since 2023.

Over the past 10 years managed to successfully advocate for dozens of business environment and public good causes, resulting in USD 300M+ savings for economy, businesses and boosting investor confidence in Kyrgyzstan. In 2021 alone, financial impact from the IBC activity amounted to over USD 36M.

Holds a Master of Law (LL.M.) degree from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) and B.A. in International and Business Law (Cum Laude) degree from the American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyz Republic). Alumnus of the Open Society Foundations / Cambridge Trust scholarship programme.

In May 2022, Mr. Sydykov has been elected as the Deputy Chairman of the National Council for Statistics of the Kyrgyz Republic, a body responsible for coordinating strategic policies in all statistics-generating state bodies. The Council composition is approved by the Presidential Decree.

In 2019-2021, Mr. Sydykov served as the Deputy Chairman of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Committee, National Council for Sustainable Development of the Kyrgyz Republic (top-level platform for public-private dialogues and cooperation, chaired by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic)

Previously, Mr. Sydykov has been with IBC in 2012-2013 as Government Relations Manager, Chief Legal Officer and in 2014-2016 – as Deputy Executive Director, coordinating IBC’s participation in policy change processes related to investment promotion, mining, licensing, finance, insurance and deregulation and addressing the business community’s concerns.

In 2010-2012 he also worked as Project Lawyer, Project Coordinator for a Bishkek-based human rights center, Citizens against Corruption, in this role responsible for developing civic journalism in Kyrgyzstan.

As a part of Askar’s responsibilities at IBC, he also contributed as an expert / project manager for a wide range of projects in association with international and local development partners, including Systematic Regulatory Review (2014-2017, OSCE Centre in Bishkek), Value Chain Analysis in Construction Materials (2014, USAID), Identifying key issues in mining sector (2013, GIZ), Study on the Prospects of Developing Digital Economy in Kyrgyzstan (2021), etc.

Currently, Askar Sydykov is also a member of the following major platforms for public-private dialogue, cooperation and development:

- Anti-Corruption Business Council under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic

- Advisory Committee on Entrepreneurship under the Eurasian Economic Commission

- Business Development and Entrepreneurship Council under the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyz Parliament) Speaker

- Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic

- Council on Awarding the Quality Prizes of the Kyrgyz Republic

- Economic Reforms Council under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic

- National Council for the Simplification of Trade Procedures.

Along with business environment platforms, Mr. Sydykov is also actively involved in charity, education and other social welfare causes, serving on the Boards of:

- Bishkek International School (BIS)

- EdNet Educational Accreditation Institution

- Federation of Sengoku (Go, Intellectual Sports) of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Previously, Askar Sydykov participated in several high-level leadership programs, including Future Leaders Invitation Program (PIPA), Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Leadership Academy for Development Program by Stanford University Law School and Center for International Private Enterprise (2023); Lead the Change Leadership Program by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ, 2017) and International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), United States Department of State, 2016.

Mr. Sydykov is a holder of numerous public recognition awards – the highest awards for excellence from the Ministry of Economy, State Committee for Industry, Energy and Natural Resources, Letters of Recognition from the State Tax Service, State Service for Combating the Economic Crimes under the Kyrgyz Government, Special Recognition from the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as many others.

Languages: Kyrgyz, Russian, English, Turkish, French (basic).