China becomes Kyrgyzstan's second largest investor

BISHKEK - China has become the second largest investor to Kyrgyzstan after Russia based on figures from 2015, Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Economy Almaz Sazbakov told a press conference here on Monday.

Kyrgyzstan, a member of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), continues to expand its cooperation with China, Sazbakov said.

"In future, we expect investment from China tops $500 million," he said.

Kyrgyzstan held talks with China on trade and economic cooperation, gained access to the market and drew investment from China, according to Sazbakov.

"It is very important for us because China has traditionally been one of our major investment partners," Sazbakov said.

Kyrgyzstan joined the EEU in 2015, which consists five countries - Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.