Two projects on building aluminum plants can be implemented in Kyrgyzstan said the head of RosAtom Sergey Kiriyenko, informs 24.kg. Also Kiriyenko represents the Russian side in inter governmental joint commission on trade, economy, science, and technical cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Russia. One of the projects is being prepared by Rinko Holding, and another by Rusal. Both projects are in process of technical and economic assessment.

One can notice the increase of economic relations of these two countries. Besides aluminum plants, Russia is interested in investing in hydroelectric power stations in Kambar-Ata. The Russian president Putin said that the Russia intended to invest $2 billion in projects in Kyrgyzstan. I think that it is very good for Kyrgyzstan.

However, there are some issues and questions that these projects can create. The most problematic issue would be the negative effects on environment of Kyrgyzstan. Of course, each industry effects on environment, but aluminum plants can cause much pollution. Another question is what Kyrgyzstan will get from these investments. We know the unsuccessful experience with Canadian company Kumtor, which is still in parliamentarian hearings. Russian company BABC bought the electric-bulb plant in Mailu-Suu, but it didn’t fulfill its terms.

Overall, the presence of Russian capital would be beneficial to Kyrgyzstan, since it would compete with Kazakhstan and China. Another thing, new ventures would create a lot of new jobs and generate taxes.