Anis H. Bajrektarevic is a Professor and a Chairperson for International Law and Global

ECONOMIC POTENTIAL AND CHALLENgES
Through privatization of small and medium-
sized businesses, liberalization of prices, smart
foreign exchange rate management and a sta-
ble national currency (the some), Kyrgyzstan’s
economy gained strength after the Soviet col-
lapse. In 1998, Kyrgyzstan became the first
country in the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) to join the World Trade Organiza-
tion.
Gold represents approximately 80% of all ex-
port trades outside the CIS, which means Kyr-
gyzstan has narrow export diversity which
reflects the country’s natural resources. Kumtor
goldmine is the country’s largest mine which
also produces the most gold. Operations at
Kumtor goldmine are overseen by Canada’s
Centerra Gold. The Kumtor Gold Mine has faced
calls by Kyrgyz politicians to nationalize the
mine. The mine in recent years has become a
source of contention and has become the focus
of Kyrgyz political and social struggles as the
Kyrgyz become more assertive in negotiating
mining contracts and ensuring that the state,
the mining communities, and the Kyrgyz peo-
ple receive appropriately distributed benefits.
The deals of the Kumtor Gold Mine have caused
political upheaval as the Prime Minister of Kyr-
gyzstan in mid-April 2015, Joomart Otorbayev,
resigned over failing to strike a deal with the
Canadian company. The new Kyrgyz Prime Min-
ister is Temir Sariyev.
SOCIAL AND DEMOgRAPHIC CHALLENgES
Similar to the other post-Soviet countries, Kyr-
gyzstan has a multicultural society. The Russians
represent the biggest ethnic minority in the
state. Conflicts occur due to the numerous ex-
claves (ongoing border conflicts and ethnic ten-
sions) and enclaves, as well as the Kyrgyz
language is a necessity for high ranked political
posts. Although equal human rights are
granted to all citizens, some discrimination for
ethnic minorities is visible. Furthermore, al-
though Kyrgyzstan is a Muslim country, the
functions of state is clearly separated from reli-
gion. In other words, it is a secular state.
Most Kyrgyz conform to Sunni Islam. Kyrgyz,
Russians, and Uzbeks are the main ethnic
groups. The Uzbeks reside in the South, espe-
cially in the southern city of Osh. The city of Osh
and the southern portion of Kyrgyzstan has
from time to time been the site of ethnic
clashes in 1990s and in 2010. Kyrgyz and
Uzbeks have divergent histories and get a long
during times of tranquility. Uzbeks according to
many human rights watch dog groups still face
systemic discrimination at the hands of Kyrgyz
persons and law enforcement. The lush and
vegetative tri-border area of the Ferghana Val-
ley also poses issues and it has been deemed a
hotbed for religious extremism. There are many
extremist and terrorist groups respectively in
Kyrgyzstan most prominently the Hizb ut-Tahrir
and many Kyrgyz citizens have been reported
to go fight alongside the Islamic State.