Bratislava, 11 December 2025 – Slovak business entities can apply their long-standing experience in the fields of energy and renewable sources in Kyrgyzstan. This was stated by State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Rastislav Chovanec, following today’s meeting with Mels Erkinbek, Vice Chairman of the Board of the largest business association in Kyrgyzstan – the ZHIA Business Association – who also serves as Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in the Kyrgyz Republic, based in Bishkek.
“Slovak entrepreneurs possess extensive expertise in the energy sector and can offer their experience in the construction of power plants in Kyrgyzstan,” R. Chovanec explained, specifying that this concerns the construction of one wind power plant and two small hydropower plants.
The State Secretary of Slovak diplomacy further noted that, in addition to water management, there is also significant potential for cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector.
Honorary Consul Mels Erkinbek, a prominent Kyrgyz entrepreneur, highlighted during the meeting the successful cooperation of his company with a Slovak firm in the field of conservation and reclamation of former uranium deposits in Uzbekistan. According to M. Erkinbek, the Slovak partner’s expertise in groundwater research and monitoring significantly contributed to the implementation of the project.
“Such high-quality projects carried out by Slovak companies provide a foundation for further strengthening bilateral relations and for the development of economic and investment activities. We therefore have an interest in deepening Slovak–Kyrgyz cooperation and in creating space for new contacts between entrepreneurs from both countries,” confirmed State Secretary Rastislav Chovanec, also recalling the successful business mission held during the official visit of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár, to Kyrgyzstan.
Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Kyrgyzstan Mels Erkinbek was appointed to the position on 16 July 2025 by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the largest business association in Kyrgyzstan – the ZHIA Business Association – which brings together more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. He is also a member of the International Business Council in Kyrgyzstan, the Kyrgyz–British Business Council, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Kyrgyzstan.
Source: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
