BAKAI has been granted a banking license by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) as a Restricted License Bank, opening a new chapter in the bank's international growth and in Kyrgyzstan’s financial presence in Asia.

Bishkek, October 5, 2026 - BAKAI has been granted a banking license by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) as a Restricted Licence Bank, opening a new chapter in the bank’s international growth and in Kyrgyzstan’s financial presence in Asia.

This milestone takes BAKAI’s international presence to a new level and establishes a direct financial bridge between Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, and the largest markets of the Asia-Pacific region.

Obtaining banking status in Hong Kong is an important milestone not only for BAKAI’s development, but also for expanding opportunities for Kyrgyz businesses in international markets. This new line of business will enable BAKAI BANK Hong Kong to build infrastructure to support cross-border trade, international settlements, and the foreign trade operations of companies doing business between Central Asia and Asia.

"BAKAI’s entry into Hong Kong is a strategic step that unlocks an entirely new level of opportunity for our clients and for Kyrgyz businesses. We want to bring international financial infrastructure and modern trade and settlement tools closer to the entrepreneurs of our country and make them more accessible. For us, this is not just about expanding BAKAI’s geographic footprint. It is an opportunity to build a new financial bridge between Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, and Asia's largest markets," said Timur Ibragimov, Chairman of the Management Board of BAKAI.

A New Financial Bridge Between Central Asia and Asia

Hong Kong is one of the world's leading financial and trade hubs and plays a key role in international capital flows and in trade with Asia-Pacific countries.

BAKAI BANK Hong Kong’s presence will create opportunities for direct engagement with international banks, financial institutions, and trading and manufacturing companies doing business between Asia and Central Asia.

For companies from Kyrgyzstan, this will ultimately mean broader access to modern international financial infrastructure and the tools needed to grow imports, exports, and cross-border trade.

Once it commences commercial operations, BAKAI BANK Hong Kong will develop solutions in the following areas:

• trade finance and documentary operations
• international and cross-border payments
• letters of credit and support for foreign trade contracts
• cash management
• treasury and foreign exchange operations
• import and export transaction financing
• engagement with international financial institutions and business partners in Asia.

International Team and Infrastructure

Preparations for the launch of BAKAI BANK Hong Kong are already underway. An international team has been assembled, and the necessary technology and operational infrastructure has been put in place in line with the requirements and standards of the international banking market. BAKAI BANK Hong Kong will soon introduce new products and financial solutions for companies engaged in international trade and doing business between Central Asia and Asian markets.

BAKAI BANK Hong Kong is headed by Andreas Meletiou, an international banker with 25 years of experience in major financial markets, including London, Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

BAKAI BANK Hong Kong’s office is located at One Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay, one of Hong Kong's key business districts.

New Opportunities for Kyrgyzstan

The development of BAKAI BANK Hong Kong lays the foundation for closer integration of Kyrgyz businesses with the global financial system and Asian markets.

For Kyrgyz entrepreneurs working with China, Hong Kong, and other Asia-Pacific countries, this opens up the prospect of banking and financial solutions tailored specifically to the needs of international trade.

For BAKAI BANK Hong Kong, this step is part of a strategy to develop international infrastructure and create new opportunities for clients beyond the domestic market.

Today, BAKAI BANK Hong Kong establishes a new point of presence for Kyrgyzstan on the global financial map and creates an additional channel of engagement between Central Asia and Asia's largest markets.

The BAKAI BANK Hong Kong team is currently finalizing preparations to commence commercial operations. In the near term, BAKAI BANK Hong Kong will gradually introduce clients to new international opportunities and solutions for foreign trade activities.