What do the Kyrgyz people have to forgo in 2009 during the global financial crisis?

Constantly increasing prices, high level of inflation, unstable political situation, low wages make many people to revise their plans for future. The news agency “24.kg” decided to interview some people to see how they got affected by the crisis.

Flora Li, Enterpreneur of the Dordoi bazaar, owner of the sewing workshop.

- All the plans for 2009 are ruined. The sales decreased by 70% because the Kazakh and Russian bulk buyers are not coming here as often as they did. Now we have great losses. We were forced to give non-paid vacation to 70 people up to February. It’s hard to realize how many people are not getting paid. If it keeps going the same way, we’d need to change the business activity or close it down, as we cannot afford to work in losses.

Alisher Mamasaliev, Deputy of the Parliament

- Middle level people where I belong to as well haven’t been that much affected. We are coming out of the nation and don’t have many demands. The only one thing I had to forgo when appointed in the Parliament was the private driver in order to save the Parliamentary budget. Now I am working driving the car myself.

Maxim Kuleshov, human rights activist, initiator of number of protesting actions

- I am not affected by the crisis at all. I am holding all the protests as planned. And nothing will disturb me.

Nadejda Vlasova, experienced school teacher:

- I was supposed to celebrate my 55^th anniversary in the restaurant with all my friends surrounded. But high prices for services and products make me give up this idea and probably the party will take place home among family only.

Oleg Kazakov, Head of the International Charity Fund “Children’s hearts”:

- The plans for 2009 will remain unchanged. I think the global financial crisis will not influence Kyrgyzstan at all.

Olga Grebennikova, head of public activity department, UNICEF

 - My daughter wanted to take me to Malaysia this year. Losses in her business because of power shortage in our country, forced us to postpone our trip. But being a positivist, I think we should use the word “crisis” in our speech  not often. Its better to think about the good things and crisis will leave us.

Elena Obraztsova, student of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University

- I was planning to visit my relatives in Saint Petersburg this summer, but would need to give up this idea or postpone the plans for the next year. The prices went high and the saved amount is not enough now. Relatives say the crisis has covered Russia already and I don’t feel like giving tension to anybody now.

Nurlan Motuev, co-Chairman of Kyrgyz Muslim Association, the leader of Joomart patriotic movement:

- I don’t forgo anything and am not going to. I don’t smoke, do not use alcohol and live by following the wills of Almighty Allah. I am going to keep on the same track.