Bishkek, May 21, 2026. /Kabar/. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov received today Governor of the Swiss National Bank Martin Schlegel in Cholpon-Ata.
The meeting discussed the further development of cooperation between the two countries' central banks, including technical cooperation, exchange of expert experience, and the implementation of advanced international standards in the financial and banking sector. The head of state noted that enhancing the institutional capacity of the National Bank, improving the professional training of specialists, and implementing modern international standards in practical activities are priorities.
He emphasized that the experience of the Swiss National Bank is of significant interest to Kyrgyzstan and expressed interest in further expanding practical cooperation between the two financial institutions.
Special attention was paid to issues of international reserve management. Sadyr Zhaparov noted the high level of professional expertise of the Swiss National Bank in this area and confirmed the Kyrgyz side's readiness to further strengthen cooperation, expand the exchange of professional approaches, and maintain regular dialogue between relevant experts from the two countries.
In turn, Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Swiss National Bank, noted that he was pleased to be visiting Kyrgyzstan for the first time and praised the level of bilateral cooperation between the central banks of the two countries.
He recalled that, since the 1990s, Swiss National Bank experts have provided advisory support to the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic on the introduction of the national currency, the som. Today, as Martin Schlegel noted, the som is one of the most stable currencies in the region.
He also emphasized the Swiss Central Bank's readiness to continue technical cooperation with the Kyrgyz side and noted Kyrgyzstan's high economic growth rates, which are among the highest in Central Asia.
At the end of the meeting, Martin Schlegel shared his impressions of his visit to the Issyk-Kul region, particularly noting the beauty of Kyrgyzstan's nature, mountain landscapes, and Lake Issyk-Kul.