Kyrgyzstan's Supreme Council(Jogorku Kenesh) reviewed a draft law on free economic zones (FEZ) in the country. If the bill is approved, two companies will be permitted to produce e-cigarettes in the Bishkek FEZ exclusively for export, according to Bulak.KG on November 20.
The bill was introduced by Jogorku Kenesh deputies Amankan Kenzhebaev and Marlen Mamataliyev.
During the discussion, Deputy Dastan Bekeshev reminded the assembly that Jogorku Kenesh had previously developed a law banning the import and sale of e-cigarettes.
"We previously banned e-cigarettes. I have no objections to this particular bill. However, there's a key issue: laws must operate under a unified principle. Permission or prohibition should apply equally to everyone. In this case, it looks like lobbying-possibly even corruption-since we are banning e-cigarettes for all other companies but allowing two to proceed," Bekeshev said.
In response, MP Daniyar Tolonov explained that the two companies would operate exclusively for export. However, Bekeshev raised concerns about whether proper oversight could be ensured.
Following the discussion, the deputies approved the bill in both the second and third readings.
Notably, in June of this year, Jogorku Kenesh passed a law prohibiting the use, import, and sale of e-cigarettes in Kyrgyzstan. However, in August, President Sadyr Japarov rejected the legislation and sent it back for revision.
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