President Sadyr Zhaparov, in his latest interview with the Kabar News Agency, commented on the opening of the new Berekет Bank and stated that its establishment became possible upon the proposal of Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the world-renowned company Binance. According to the head of state, this is a private business project expected to attract significant investment into the country.
Hello, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich!
Last week, news websites reported that among the founders of the recently established “Berekеt Bank,” alongside former Jogorku Kenesh Speaker Marat Sultanov, is also your son Nurdoolot Nurgozhoev.
This news has been received differently by the public. Some believe there is nothing wrong with it if the state has no involvement, while others think it would be better not to involve relatives and children.
Does this bank have any connection to your family?
That’s a good question, which is actively being discussed in society. Therefore, I will give a detailed answer. We have nothing to hide from the people.
First of all, I have been in power for more than five years. During this time, I have not involved any of my family members, not even my brothers, in state affairs. I believe that one politician from a single family is enough.
I have always told them: engage in business, start production, and attract investors to the country.
Everyone understood me and does not interfere in state affairs. The people can see this as well.
And in the future, they will not take part in government affairs. None of them aspires to become a minister or a member of parliament. Although they could run for office, since deputies are elected by the people - they choose not to.
All of them are engaged in private business and attract investors to the country.
I always tell them:
“Do not move your capital abroad; on the contrary, bring it into the country.”
If I were to list all the investors my relatives have brought in and all the projects they are implementing, it would sound like self-promotion for my family.
So for now, I will not talk about that.
When my presidential term comes to an end, I will tell in detail what my brothers have been doing, what projects Rustam has carried out, and how much investment they have brought into the country. The whole nation will see it.
As for the topic of the bank, here is the situation.
The whole world is now moving toward virtual assets.
In May of this year, when the owner of the world-renowned company Binance, Changpeng Zhao, visited us, he proposed the idea of jointly opening a digital bank.
I immediately suggested making it a state bank, but he did not want to participate in a government project.
After my initiative to create a state bank was not supported, we agreed to open a private bank.
I invited Marat Sultanov, an experienced banker, and asked him to handle the organizational matters.
Changpeng Zhao and Marat Sultanov proposed that Nurdoolot also take part in the project.
After some consideration, I agreed, since the state has no connection to this initiative.
Let him work, gain experience, and interact with professionals. This is far better than having them interfere in government affairs — let them focus on private business.
It should be noted that Changpeng Zhao does not visit every country.
First, we have established friendly relations; second, he sees that Kyrgyzstan is developing, that there is an uncompromising fight against corruption, no organized crime, and that is why he is interested in our country.
Many states have tried to invite him, but without success.
Thanks to his arrival in Kyrgyzstan, billions in investment will flow into the country through this bank.
Other investors will also appear among the bank’s founders.
Our state and people will benefit from this bank — there will be no harm.
Will this bank operate like other banks?
Of course, it will function as a regular bank. However, it will primarily deal with virtual assets and digital currencies.
And does your son have education and experience in this field?
As I mentioned earlier, I do not involve my children or brothers in politics.
That is why both Rustam and Nurdoolot received their education in economics and finance.
Of course, it’s too early to say he has extensive experience yet. But I believe that over time he will gain it through practice. Young people today master new areas much faster than we do.
The main thing is — don’t worry.
This initiative will bring only benefits to the people of Kyrgyzstan: profits will be shared with the public, assistance will be provided to orphans and those in need, and social facilities will be built, and so on.