The Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), Bakitjan Sagintayev, met with Sikasak Phuangkhetkeo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding between the EEC and the Government of Thailand, signed in 2018.
Sagintayev noted positive dynamics in the development of trade turnover, stating that from January to May, trade turnover between the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and Thailand exceeded $1 billion. This is 20% more than in the same period of 2025.
The parties emphasized the high potential for cooperation between the EEC and Thailand in areas such as digitalization, transport and logistics, and green energy. Thailand is considered one of the leading digital centers in Southeast Asia, and the EEC pays special attention to developing this area.
In the context of Artificial Intelligence development, the joint statement by the leaders of five Eurasian countries, adopted in May 2026 in the city of Astana, concerning the responsible development of AI was mentioned.
Bakitjan Sagintayev and Sikasak Phuangkhetkeo supported the development of mutually beneficial ties between business circles. It was particularly noted that an important aspect of the dialogue is cooperation on multilateral international platforms, such as ASEAN, which contributes to forming the most comprehensive and practical order of interaction between the regions.
At the end of the meeting, mutual interest in implementing planned joint economic initiatives was confirmed.
According to information provided by Elimbek Kanibek uulu, Head of the EAEU Coordination Department of the Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan, updated customs norms for goods imported through foreign marketplaces will be introduced in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) starting January 1, 2027.
The new customs duty rate will be 5% of the product's value, but a minimum fee of 1 euro per kilogram will be established. Furthermore, the duty-free limit for goods intended for personal use will remain in place.
As Kanibek uulu noted, this new procedure will also apply to purchases made on Chinese marketplaces. The new mechanism for regulating external e-commerce is planned to come into effect on January 1, 2027. Goods acquired through electronic trade will be categorized separately and will fall under a unified customs regime.
According to Kanibek uulu, work is currently underway to amend the EAEU agreement regarding the taxation of e-commerce goods. Previously, the creation of a national e-commerce operator in Kyrgyzstan was announced, which will be responsible for processing online purchases and returns.
It is important to note that personal purchases valued up to 200 euros will remain exempt from customs duties, while a new regulation will apply to higher-value goods.
The South Korean company AHA Co., LTD is implementing a $20 million project in the Ekoshahar district of Fergana. This site is planned for the production of various goods, including interactive electronic whiteboards (IEWB) for the domestic market and export, electric vehicle chargers, medical equipment, and other products.
The activity and responsibility of the Korean investor in the project's implementation, as well as his initiatives to attract new partners and expand the investment environment, were noted during a meeting with the Governor of the Fergana Region, Khayrullo Bozorov.
The head of the company, Ku Gi Do, reported that the construction and installation work for the project in Ekoshahar has reached its final stage, and the production factory will begin operations in September. He also informed about plans to launch the production of components and spare parts jointly with Chinese partners, as well as measures being taken to attract grant funding in the fields of education and information technology.
Various issues related to the completion and launch of this project were discussed during the conversation. In the near future, electronic boards for the country's schools will be produced at the new factory established in Fergana and delivered to educational institutions.
The US Department has officially launched a visa deposit program. Applicants for tourist and business visas (B1/B2) from citizens of 50 countries are now required to pay a deposit of up to $20,000.
Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan have also been included in the list of countries covered by this system.
According to official statements from US representatives, this measure is aimed at reducing instances of visa rule violations and exceeding the permitted stay duration in the country. The new rule was adopted based on the results of a pilot program deemed effective by Washington and will take effect on August 3, 2025.
