Archive sections: ‘From an Expat’
The events of 6th and 7th of April in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, were nothing short of extraordinary. They brought with them great sadness, renewed hope, tragic destruction, victorious triumph and, above all, confusion about what to do next. Ian Claytor, General Director of the Celestial Mountains Companies in Kyrgyzstan, has lived in Bishkek for nearly 15 [...]
One of our partners, is “Silk Road Media”, a publishing house established by Marat Akhmedjanov, an Uzbek citizen, who is based in London. I actually consider them to be one of our most important partners … Why?, well, because one of the most valuable commodities in the modern world is information, especially about a new [...]
“Seven Days in May” was a 1964, Oscar nominated, film staring Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, and Frederic March with Ava Gardner adding the “female” interest. It tells the story of how US military leaders, (led by Chief of the Defense Staff, Burt Lancaster), plot to overthrow an increasingly unpopular President, (Frederic March), because he supports [...]
When I was young I learned that the Second World War started on September 1st, 1939 as the result of the German invasion of Poland. (For the record, it was a joint invasion by both Germany and the Slovak Republic, a small “puppet” state created in March that year. The Slovak Republic contributed 50,000 to [...]
One of the message which dropped into my mailbox last week was an Press Release from the Bishkek Meria, (the local, municipal, authority) about preparations for City Day – Dehn Goroda.
Shortly after the Easter Revolution the Interim government made a somewhat controversial decision to change the Mayor of Bishkek.
I was told a funny story the other day. An American consultant was asked if he had experienced any difficulties or problems as a result of the recent upheavals following the events of April 7th, The Easter Revolution. He replied: “No, not really. Well, yes there was one incident.” His questioner was interested, what was [...]
This week has been like trying to solve a gigantic jigsaw puzzle. It seems as if I have left the land of reality and have settled to live in a land of rumour and counter rumour, speculation and supposition, ambiguity and indecision, doubt and uncertainty. There is a constant stream of News reports, gossip and [...]
There is a basic accounting problem that we encounter trying to run a business here in Kyrgyzstan: sometimes it can be very difficult to obtain a receipt for payments. If, for example, we have to travel from one part of town to another and have to catch a bus or take a taxi, then it [...]
Economists sometimes refer to the economy as being like an iceberg: split into two parts, with one visible above the “water line” and the other “hidden” below the surface. The ‘hidden’ part of the economy is basically any economic activity which is not reported to the authorities, is not included in statistics, and on which tax [...]
