BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. The president of
Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov, proposed to consider the possibility of
opening a new Islamic commercial bank in the country with the
participation of Bahrain, Trend reports via the presidential administration.
According to information, the initiative was announced at a
meeting with Hassan Khalifa Al-Jalahma, chairman of the board of
directors of the Central Bank of Bahrain.
Zhaparov stated that there is a growing demand for Islamic
banking services in the country. The implementation of the project,
in his opinion, will make it possible to cover the business sector
of Central Asia with a population of more than 80 million people,
and in the long term, may lead to the creation of the largest bank
in the region operating according to the principles of Islam.
The head of state noted that the banking system of Kyrgyzstan is
at the stage of development, and the legislative basis for working
according to Islamic financial standards has already been
created.
The parties also discussed issues of attracting investments and
the implementation of joint projects. Zhaparov stressed that
Bahrain today is an example of effective economic and financial
policy, as well as a recognized banking center of the Middle
East.
In turn, the head of the Central Bank of Bahrain confirmed the
readiness to deepen cooperation with the National Bank and other
financial institutions of Kyrgyzstan. He noted that the Central
Bank of Bahrain has created all conditions for the professional
development of specialists and expressed readiness to accept Kyrgyz
employees for training.
He also noted that the Central Bank of Bahrain intends to
carefully study the proposal to create an Islamic financial
institution, to agree on a program of cooperation with the National
Bank, and to start implementing joint projects.
Sadyr Zhaparov arrived in Bahrain on April 21 on his first
official visit to this country.