Bishkek: The Cabinet of Ministers in Kyrgyzstan has approved a new set of rules that will govern the calculation and payment of fees for retaining subsoil use licenses. This decision was made following the signing of a resolution by Cabinet Chairman Adylbek Kasymaliev.
According to Trend News Agency, the updated regulations replace those established in 2022 and aim to align the process with the Code on Non-Tax Revenues. The reform is designed to enhance the administration of payments within the mining sector. The resolution is set to take effect 10 days after its official publication.
A significant change in the updated regulations is the shift of oversight authority from the Ministry of Natural Resources to fiscal bodies. To facilitate this transition, the Ministry has been tasked with supplying the State Tax Service with a comprehensive registry of fee payers by December 31, 2025. This registry will include details on overpayments, outstanding arrears, and total fee obligations for the year 2025.
The updated regulations are crucial for the Kyrgyz Republic, where the mining sector plays a pivotal role in the national economy. The mining and quarrying industry consistently contribute approximately 7-8 percent of Kyrgyzstan’s total GDP and account for 40 to 50 percent of the country’s industrial output. Subsoil use fees and related taxes are significant sources of revenue for the state budget, with the Kumtor gold mine being the largest single contributor to the sector’s total revenue.