On March 1, a discussion on draft laws aimed at imposing a ban on the use of plastic bags and plastic containers in the Issyk-Kul region took place in the Kyrgyz Parliament.

IBC representatives gave the business opinion on the bills. According to IBC, the adoption of the bill in the proposed version will adversely affect the economic activities of the largest food companies in the country. This will entail a reduction in tax revenues to the state budget and reduction in jobs. Consideration should be given to the effects on the activities of enterprises operating in the local market when importing and selling goods.

According to IBC, efforts should be focused on reducing the turnover of plastic bags for domestic purposes. The problem of plastic packaging should be solved by creating a culture of their collection, sorting, recycling and disposal using the experience of other countries.

Representatives of other business associations expressed a similar position adding that bills should be balanced and contain rules that support the rights of entrepreneurs.

As a result of the discussion, the bill authors promised to take into account the interests of local enterprises in the final draft of the document.

IBC will submit its official position on this issue to the Parliament.