InfoAnda - Chinese traders leave as Kyrgyzstan closes markets

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Russian space debris being monitored after Atlantis docks with ISS | 12 July 2011
France vows to tear down Gypsy camps | 29 July 2010
UN willing to help mediate inclusive dialogue in Fiji | 25 December 2008

Pakistan's Musharraf vows to return for 2013 poll | | 14 May 2011

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Chinese traders leave as Kyrgyzstan closes markets

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Singapore Asia Pacific World Search Search: Chinese traders leave as Kyrgyzstan closes markets AFP - Sunday, May 24 KARA-SUU, Kyrgyzstan (AFP) - - Bright bolts of fabric, toys and construction materials still crowd the shelves of Central Asia's largest bazaar but its once ubiquitous Chinese traders are beginning to dwindle in number. ADVERTISEMENT Tucked away from the crush of bargain hunters in the courtyard of a crumbling Soviet-era apartment block, a sign dangling ominously in a window captures the mood here at Kyrgyzstan's Kara-Suu market. The hand-written poster announces simply, in Russian and Chinese: "Apartment for Rent." Once a destination for thousands of Chinese traders, the financial crisis has turned this outdoor market in the volatile Fergana Valley into the site of an exodus that has traders and the government very nervous. As the financial crisis bites deep into the region's coffers, Kyrgyzstan and some other Central Asian states are succumbing to protectionism, possibly at the expense of booming trade and ties with China fostered over a decade. "As other governments have lowered their taxes and given out incentives, Kyrgyzstan has done the opposite for us," said Yan Tsou Pin, head of the Association of Chinese Entrepenuers in Southern Kyrgyzstan, a lobbying group. "Little by little, gradually and quietly like water, our Chinese people have begun to flow away from here." A major conduit for Chinese goods and influence into what was Russia's backyard, Kara-Suu has now become a test of the viability of Beijing's plans to expand its presence into neighbouring Central Asia. Since last year, thousands of Chinese traders have left Kyrgyzstan in reaction to protectionist economic measures taken by local officials, who are themselves panicked by the country's worsening economic situation. The moves by the local government in Osh province, where the bazaar is located, illustrate the delicate balancing act that has come to define the "special relationship" that has developed between the poorer states of Central Asia and an ascendant China. The earnings of Chinese business people were already taxed at a higher rate than their local counterparts, but last year these taxes were raised an astonishing 500 percent. At the same time, the number of business licenses granted to Chinese citizens was slashed, a move defended by the head of Osh's Migration and Employment Committee, Daniyar Tolonov. "No one can compete with Chinese traders today, because they have direct supplies from China, and their goods are cheaper," he said. "Today, we are protecting jobs for our citizens." A politically unstable state bordering China, Kyrgyzstan has been battered by falling remittances from its own migrant labour force in Russia and Kazakhstan. Taxes levied on Chinese traders and entrepreneurs dwarf those paid by locals, Tolonov said, providing a key source of revenue for the state without which it would simply be unable to meet citizens' basic needs. Or, as Yan succinctly put it: "If you want the eggs, you can't kill the chicken." But at the same time officials must monitor the political temperature among locals who are angry at what they see as the unfair business practices of the Chinese. Competing with the Chinese, who have a distinct advantage due to their native language fluency and personal relationships with wholesalers in China, has proved a daunting task for many in the market. "We have no problems with the Chinese. They don't bother anyone at all. They're very honest and trustworthy people. But they're ruining our business," said 49-year-old Zulfiya Khaidarova. However that particular complaint may soon be a thing of the past -- if the authorities choose to ignore the concerns of Chinese representatives like Yan. More than half of the nearly 5,000 Chinese traders -- both official and unofficial -- have already left for neighbouring Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, said Yan, who herself came here more than a decade ago. While both neighbouring states have their drawbacks -- Uzbekistan's legal system is draconian and Tajikistan is poor and unstable -- Yan said anything would be an improvement on Kyrgyzstan's heavy-handed economic policy. Others however seem unconvinced of this. Only one of the dozens of Chinese traders approached by AFP was willing to speak to a reporter, and then on condition that her real name not be used. Sensing the delicate political mood in the market, many said they feared irking either the authorities or their neighbours by speaking to the press. The one who did speak asked to be called Tanya, a nickname she picked up while working in Russia before she moved to Kara-Suu. She said that despite problems, she wouldn't be leaving and explained that the hazards associated with living across the border in tense Uzbekistan could be even greater. "The route is not good. When you cross the border, border officials take your money, ask for bribes," she said. Uzbek police "are very bad. There, they are worse than in Kyrgyzstan." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: China's Economy Qantas trims international first-class servicesAFP - Monday, May 25 China Bohai Bank says plans listing in 2012 or 2013Reuters - Monday, May 25 PetroChina's 1bln dlr stake in Singapore refinerAFP - Monday, May 25 Australia lifts ban on short-selling stocksAFP - Monday, May 25 Related Articles: Business Fed's Kohn says rates likely to stay low for some timeReuters - Sunday, May 24 Navistar buys bankrupt Monaco for $50 millionAP - Sunday, May 24 Fed studying effect of crisis on productivityReuters - Sunday, May 24 Brazil's Vale says not started '09 iron price talksReuters - Sunday, May 24 GMAC plans to slash $1 billion in costs - reportsReuters - Sunday, May 24 Enlarge Photo Chinese traders leave as Kyrgyzstan closes markets Related Photos Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: Business & Economy Related Full Coverage China Economy china economy All Full Coverage Most Popular – Business Viewed Obama signs credit card reforms Smokers duped by light cigarettes: US court Vitamin D boosts brain power in middle-aged men Popular cereal is a drug, US food watchdog says Health chiefs warn against 'sneaky' flu virus View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Monday, 25 May 2009
British royal chauffeur suspended over security breach
Iran summit vows to fight drugs, extremism
Britain's Button wins Monaco Grand Prix
North Korea conducts nuclear test, faces more isolation | International |
Ecuador president nixes EU free trade deal
Darfur fighters take Sudan army base
World Bank chief warns about economic crisis
Iran says foreign troops no help to region's security | International |
British MPs claimed expenses for family hire: report
US military: Iraq attacks down nearly 60 percent
Sri Lanka's Tigers acknowledge leader's death | International |
GM, Chrysler face decisive week as deadlines loom
Israel to keep expanding settlements: Netanyahu
Myanmar says Thai meddling over Suu Kyi trial | International |
Facebook block ahead of Iran vote hampers youth
Gender issues worsen Iraq's medical woes
Hezbollah rejects report linking it to Hariri death
Darfur fighters take Sudan army base: peacekeepers | International |
Japan panel wants first strikes against enemies: report | International |
Iran hosts high-profile summit on drugs, extremism
Netanyahu: We'll build in existing settlements
Preacher dies after Sikh temple attack in Vienna | International |
US House Speaker Pelosi in China for climate talks
South Korea plans public funeral for ex-leader Roh | International |
Afghanistan's Karzai in Iran for terror, drugs summit
Gore, others urge CEOs to back climate change deal
Suicide car bomber kills 7 in Somalia, residents flee | International |
Netanyahu defies Obama on Israeli settlement freeze | International |
Heavy rains trigger flood alert in southern China
Sri Lanka pledges more democracy in Tamil zone
Indie filmmakers in Cannes still dreaming of 3-D | Technology |
Asian, European ministers to meet in Hanoi
Police chase ends with river rescue in upstate NY
Tigers admit leader dead; UN presses Sri Lanka over access
Australian flood waters create 'inland sea'
Search focuses on Calif., Mexico for mom, sick son
Australia stops boat of suspected asylum seekers
Terrorism arrests: snitch, sting, then controversy
Suu Kyi lawyers prepare defence in Myanmar trial
Bondsmen upset by policies that free more people
Japan to relax arms export ban: report
Ex-con's magazine focuses on advocacy, prison life
Democrats win Mongolia presidential poll: reports
Top U.S. military officer pushes Guantanamo closing
S.Korea bonds gain ahead of MSB auctions, maturity
Border Patrol chooses Canaan for new station
2 killed, 6 hurt in Ariz graduation party shooting
Seoul shares fall; ex-president's death weighs
China investors make deal for stake in NBA Cavaliers
Final exec faces sentence in SC firm's $275M bust
China's Hainan Airlines posts annual loss
Recession weighs heavily on aid to poor countries
Police: Officer kills Ohio man who took hostage
US, China set to grapple with economic concerns
Chinese traders leave as Kyrgyzstan closes markets
Danish 'Antichrist' provides Cannes' annual scandal
Porcupine, python strut catwalk for Russian zoo
YouTube star Susan Boyle through to talent show final
Cannes-winner Haneke probes dark secrets of bourgeois life
Gainsbourg crowned in Cannes for 'Antichrist' shocker
Haneke's chilling White Ribbon wins in Cannes | Entertainment |
'Night at the Museum' comes to life to claim top spot
Coco Chanel film brings curtain down in Cannes | Entertainment |
'White Ribbon' village drama ties up top prize at Cannes
Museum comedy beats Terminator at box office | Entertainment |
French 'Prophet' takes Cannes Grand Prix
Internet star Susan Boyle stuns again with Memory | Entertainment |
Haneke's 'White Ribbon' takes top prize at Cannes
Cannes Film Festival prize winners
Indie filmmakers in Cannes still dreaming of 3-D | Entertainment |
Theatre fans up in arms over Marcel Marceau auction | Entertainment |
Italian showman Benigni brings Dante to America | Entertainment |
ETA warns of new strategy for independence
Facebook block ahead of Iran vote hampers youth
Pakistani soldiers battle Taliban in Swat town | International |
Iran's Ahmadinejad rejects Western nuclear proposal | International |
Myanmar opens trial again, Suu Kyi may take stand | International |
Riots in India after Austrian Sikh killing | International |
Karadzic files motion detailing immunity deal | International |
Muslim nations link better ties with Israel to peace | International |
Afghan floods kill 94, make thousands homeless | International |
Atlantis lands after successful Hubble fix
Nokia starts roll-out of Apple App Store rival | Technology |
Craps player sets record at NJ casino
Iranian moderate candidate criticizes Facebook ban | Technology |
Congress to Obama: Gitmo plan before Gitmo money
YouTube star who witnessed shooting comes clean | Technology |
Bride is on board after Grand Central proposal
Correction: Giuliani-Harassment Arrest story
Man killed in NJ boating accident died of drowning
New Yorkers prepare for car-free Times Square
Deadly Indian riots after Sikh shooting in Austria
Huge lobster roll to be colossal creation
Police foil bomb attack at Philippine port
Vegas casinos try bargains to lure back visitors
Korea Hot Stocks
Kenya to enact laws regulating mobile phone banking | Technology |
Tamil Tigers admit leader is dead
China's herders plea for help as wolf packs return
Myanmar looms over foreign ministers' meeting
American diver missing off Malaysia
Thousands mourn former SKorea leader
Myanmar rejects ASEAN statement on Suu Kyi
Guru dies after Austrian temple clash: police
Kumble heroics not enough as Deccan win IPL
Popular film wins Cannes, but Antichrist lingers | Entertainment |
Museum comedy beats Terminator at box office | Entertainment |
Internet star Susan Boyle stuns again with Memory | Entertainment |
Small Explosion Damages New York City Starbucks; Residents Evacuated
San Diego Brush Fire Believed To Be Caused By Human Activity
First African-American To Lead NASA
Pelosi Leads Climate Change Delegation To China
U.S. Soldiers With H1N1 Flu Leave Kuwait
Obama Visits Tomb Of Unknown Soldier As Nation Marks Memorial Day
Ohio Man Who Believed Neighbor Kidnapped Parents Goes On Shooting Rampage; Shot Dead By Police
North Korea Conducts Second Nuclear Test; Ignites Tensions In Peninsula, Washington
Kim Jong Il, Obama Express Condolences After South Korean Leader's Suicide
Herbert York, Physicist Who Helped Develop Atomic Bomb And Later Advocated Arms Control, Dead At 87
Raise a glass to Hangover | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01