Almambet Shykmatov, chairman of the State Tax Service, criticised a statement by Sultanbek Baigaziyev, an inspector with the State Road Safety Department, about plans to conduct control purchases to identify illegal taxi drivers.

In an interview with a local publication, Shykmamatov called the initiative another ‘delusional idea.’ At the briefing, Baigaziyev said the tax service was going to conduct checks to identify taxis operating without a licence. However, according to Shykmatov, such measures are not part of the STS plans.

Shykmatov stressed that the tax service considers it important that all citizens pay taxes, but does not intend to carry out widespread control. He noted that attention is being paid to informing citizens and improving the tax culture of the population.

‘We will emphasise explanatory work rather than full control and prosecution of small and medium-sized businesses,’ he said.