Within the framework of his official visit to Manama, the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain, President Sadyr Zhaparov held a meeting with Hassan Khalifa Al-Jalahma, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Bahrain.

Sadyr Zhaparov noted that Bahrain is deservedly recognized as one of the leading banking centers in the Middle East, and stressed the importance of its experience for Kyrgyzstan, whose banking system is now actively developing and adapting to modern challenges.

During the meeting, the head of state proposed to consider the possibility of creating a new Islamic commercial bank in the country with the participation of Bahraini capital. According to him, Kyrgyzstan has already formed a regulatory framework for banking activities according to Islamic principles, and the demand for such services in the country is steadily growing.

“Such a project is capable of covering the entire business sector of Central Asia with a population of more than 80 million people. In time, it may lead to the creation of the largest Islamic bank in the region,” Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Bahrain, in turn, noted the importance of the visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan and expressed readiness to deepen partnership with the National Bank of the Republic. He said that the Bahraini side is ready to study the initiative to open an Islamic bank in Kyrgyzstan and consider it as part of the future cooperation program.

In addition, Hassan Khalifa Al-Jalahma confirmed readiness to assist in training and professional development of Kyrgyz specialists, emphasizing that Bahrain has all conditions for the development of professional staff in the field of Islamic banking.

Following the meeting, the parties expressed confidence in the potential of bilateral cooperation and confirmed the intention to promote joint projects, strengthening financial and investment ties between Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain.