Japanese Companies Show Interest in Kyrgyz Antimony and Silicon

Japanese companies have expressed interest in purchasing antimony and silicon produced in Kyrgyzstan — such was the outcome recorded following meetings between Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh Marlen Mamatalieva and representatives of Japanese business during an official visit to Tokyo.

Mamatalieva held negotiations with the chairman of the Keidanren business federation committee on economic cooperation with Central Asian and Caucasus countries, chairman of the board of directors of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Takeshi Hashimoto, as well as with the chairman of the Japan-Kyrgyzstan Association for Economic Exchange Shinji Tarutoko. The parties also accelerated preparations for the signing of a memorandum between the Japanese company JKII and the Kyrgyz side.

Transport infrastructure was discussed separately. Mamatalieva proposed that Mitsui O.S.K. Lines — which specializes in international cargo transportation — consider including routes through Kyrgyzstan in pilot shipments along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Japanese investors were also offered the opportunity to participate in the construction of logistics centers, dry ports, and terminals, taking into account the implementation of the China — Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan railway.

The speaker reminded that as of July 2025, an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation between the two countries has entered into force. The parties named the conclusion of an agreement on mutual support and protection of investments as the next step. According to Mamatalieva, the average annual economic growth of Kyrgyzstan over the past five years was no less than 9%, and by the end of the first half of 2026 approached 12%. Specific volumes of possible antimony and silicon purchases, contract values, and delivery timelines have not yet been announced.