Japarov exempts IT specialists, bloggers, and filmmakers from taxes for five years

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree in 2024 "On measures to improve the tax system and tax administration," exempting IT specialists, artificial intelligence and app developers, bloggers, remote employees of foreign companies, startups, and participants in film, video, television production and other creative fields from tax payments for five years. Kabar reports.

The decree became part of a large-scale strategy launched in April 2022: President Japarov then signed the first decree, after which the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Concept for Development of the Creative Economy for 2022–2026. Its goal is to develop the sector and increase export potential.

According to 2022 data, the creative economy accounted for only 1% of Kyrgyzstan's GDP, and nearly 50% of creative business operated in the shadow sector. To bring the sector out of the shadows that same year, the law "On the Creative Industries Park" was adopted — a unique document by expert assessment in global practice, providing special tax and social benefits to more than 15 sectors, including architecture, design, media, music, and film. At the same time, the Creative Industries Park itself was opened — the first professional association of its kind in Central Asia.

The authors of the new tax decree expect that even with temporary loss of tax revenue, thousands of people earning in the sector will legalize and ultimately contribute significantly to the state budget.

Kyrgyzstan views the creative economy as a key strategic direction for reducing dependence on the mining industry and migrant remittances. International experts have already noted the republic's experience as worthy of study and application by other countries.