The Creative Industries Park (CIP) in Kyrgyzstan actively contributes to the development of the creative economy by utilizing a unique preferential tax regime. This was reported by the director of the CIP, Kanyshay Mamytova, who explained in detail the park's operations, its advantages for residents, and legislative initiatives.
According to Mamytova, the park covers a wide range of creative industry sectors. The CIP was established by the Association of Creative Industries, which advocated for the implementation of this special regime.
In 2022, at the Create 4 festival, which was attended by the country's president, the significance and potential of this sector were demonstrated. In the same year, a presidential decree on the development of the creative economy was signed, and a law on the Creative Industries Park and a concept for the development of the creative economy of the Kyrgyz Republic were adopted.
By 2023, amendments were made to the Tax Code and the law on social contributions tariffs, and a regulation on the Supervisory Board was created. One of the key points was the definition of the list of activities that can become residents of the park. In December of the same year, this list was approved by a government resolution.
The composition of the Supervisory Board was approved in February 2024. It is formed by the order of the Cabinet of Ministers and includes seven members, among whom are the deputy ministers of economy and finance. In April 2024, the CIP's directorate was registered as a public fund.
Kanyshay Mamytova explained that in order to become a resident of the park, it is necessary to meet certain criteria and comply with established rules to be able to benefit from the privileges and support. The following conditions are required to join the park:
- having the status of a tax resident of the Kyrgyz Republic; foreign citizens and companies must register a legal entity or individual entrepreneur in Kyrgyzstan;
- absence of tax and social contribution debts;
- consent to provide quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports;
- engagement in activities from the CIP's list;
- quarterly payment of 1% of revenue to the benefit of the CIP directorate;
- conducting an audit at one's own expense upon reaching a revenue of up to 8 million soms within a year.
The process of joining includes creating a personal account on the CIP website, filling out an application, attaching the necessary documents, submitting the application, its review by the CIP director, formation of documents for the Supervisory Board, and final consideration of the application by this board.
Currently, the CIP's list of activities includes 72 types of activities. The Supervisory Board has the right to annually appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers with a request to add new types of activities.
Adelya Klycheva, Akmaral Abdalieva
