The Trade Union of Trade Workers reported on the mass closure of sewing workshops in Kyrgyzstan

- As of today, January 16, 2026, the chairperson of the Central Committee of the Trade Union of Workers in Trade, Public Catering, Consumer Cooperation, and Other Forms of Entrepreneurship, Elizaveta Alymbaeva, expressed deep concern about the state of the country's garment industry at a meeting of the "Ala-Too" parliamentary group.

She noted that the mass closure of sewing workshops negatively affects not only the employment level of citizens but also the budget revenues of the republic. According to her, the industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the economy if systematic support is provided.

“The garment sector in Kyrgyzstan has largely been created by the efforts of the citizens themselves, without active participation from the state. Currently, enterprises are forced to purchase all necessary materials, including fittings and textiles, mainly in Uzbekistan, where their own production is already established. The republic does not even have basic production for goods such as needles and buttons, which highlights the weak development of related industries. State support for domestic producers is insufficient, while the garment industry desperately needs assistance,” she stated.

In this regard, the union chairperson pointed out that the agro-industrial complex receives active state support and questioned why similar measures are not applied to the garment industry, which has high potential for economic growth and job creation.