ALMATY, Kazakhstan, December 18. The Eurasian
Development Bank (EDB) forecasts that Kyrgyzstan will record the
highest economic growth rate in Central Asia in 2026, said Aigul
Berdigulova, Senior analyst at the EDB's Country Analysis Center,
Trend
reports.


Speaking at the presentation of the bank’s macroeconomic
forecast for the 2026-2028 period in Almaty, Berdigulova stated
that Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth is expected to reach 9.3%.


“Kyrgyzstan has remained the regional leader in economic growth
for the third consecutive year. After an impressive 9% in previous
years, the economy has accelerated further, with growth expected to
exceed 10% in 2025. The main drivers are strong investment activity
and resilient consumer demand,” Berdigulova noted.


She also emphasized that the EDB expects Kyrgyzstan to maintain
its growth leadership in the region in 2026-2027 as well.


“Investments will remain the key driver of development. Growth
is planned in transport, energy, and water supply investments. In
addition, the authorities aim to achieve energy independence by
2028. In this context, around 100 new hydropower plants are being
built, while solar and wind energy are being actively developed,”
she added.


According to EDB forecasts, annual inflation in the country is
expected to reach around 8.3% by the end of 2026.







“Amid rapid economic growth, price pressures are increasing,
with additional pressure coming from global food market conditions.
To contain price growth, the authorities have temporarily
introduced regulations on several socially significant products.
Further stabilizing factors will include the expected increase in
the interbank rate (BIR), a stable som exchange rate, and lower oil
prices compared to average levels in recent years. All this will
help bring inflation back to the target range of 5–7%,” the senior
analyst stressed.


She noted that by the end of 2026, the EDB forecasts the key
policy rate at around 11% (on November 25, the National Bank of
Kyrgyzstan raised the key rate to 11%).


“According to our forecasts, the interbank market rate (BIR)
could rise to 9% by 2028 to consolidate the downward inflation
trend. We expect the som exchange rate in 2026 to be in the range
of 87-90 per US dollar, with its stability supported by growing
remittance inflows,” Berdigulova concluded.


The EDB, a multilateral development bank, aims to foster
economic growth, expand trade and economic ties among member
states, and promote regional integration through investment
activities. Its seven member countries include Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.


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