Kyrgyzstan begins printing its own banknotes for the first time

Kyrgyzstan has, for the first time in its history, established domestic production of its national currency, the Kyrgyz som. Previously, som banknotes had been printed exclusively abroad for more than 30 years, according to the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Notably, the first banknotes were printed during celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s independence.

«In recent years, pursuant to the instructions of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic has consistently and systematically worked to establish its own production of the national currency,» the central bank noted.

The first banknotes produced domestically were in denominations of 20 and 50 som.

«This marks another important step toward strengthening Kyrgyzstan’s economic self-reliance and state sovereignty,» the central bank said.