On February 24, the European Union and the United Kingdom announced an expansion of anti-Russian sanctions. Companies from Central Asia were also included on the updated lists, Fergana news agency says.
The UK government says around 70 entities were added on the consolidated list of individuals and legal entities subjected to restrictions.
Among the “newcomers” are two companies based in Kyrgyzstan. Specifically, Keremet Bank was added to the register as a "foreign financial institution supporting Russia."
According to British officials, the Bishkek-based bank provides services to Russian partners in the financial sector, which is strategic for the Russian government.
In addition to the credit institution, Rama Group, which also has its legal address in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, was added on the sanctions list. The company is suspected of supplying technologies and goods related to microelectronics to Russia.
The European Union Council issued a press release on the approval of the 16th package of anti-Russian sanctions. The new list includes 83 entries, including 48 individuals and 53 organizations.
It is noted that the companies on the list are not only Russian enterprises but also foreign entities from China, India, Singapore, the UAE, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Specifically, this includes firms from Almaty, MetallStan and Kazstanex, as well as the Tashkent-based LLC Uzstanex.
There is no detailed information on the reasons for the inclusion of these enterprises in the EU sanctions list, but the European organization’s press release emphasizes that the companies included in the updated list were involved in circumventing trade restrictions or supplying goods for the Russian military-industrial complex, such as components for drones and missiles.
It is worth noting that other representatives from Central Asia are also on the EU’s full list of entities subjected to restrictions. Kazakhstan's Elem Group and Da Group 22 were added to the list in February and June of last year, respectively.
In the summer of the same year, Kyrgyz companies Muller Markt and Profflab appeared on the list. As for the Uzbek companies Alfa Beta Creative, GFK Logistics Asia, and Mvizion, they were added to the blacklist in 2023.
