Kyrgyzstan prints 20 and 50 som banknotes domestically for first time

September 11, 2026 at 03:20 PM2 min

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Kyrgyzstan has produced 20 and 50 som banknotes domestically for the first time since independence, the National Bank announced on September 11, 2026. The move, timed to the 35th anniversary of independence, follows a presidential order and ends more than 30 years of printing the national currency abroad.

Key Facts

The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan announced the first domestic printing of 20 and 50 som banknotes on September 11, 2026.
The production was carried out under a presidential order and is timed to the 35th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's independence.
For more than 30 years, Kyrgyz som banknotes were printed abroad.
In March 2025, production of Kyrgyz soms was launched at the Uchkun open joint-stock company, according to then-National Bank head Melis Turgunbaev.
In March 2026, President Sadyr Japarov announced the start of independent printing of the national currency and said Kyrgyzstan had received an international certificate allowing it to fulfill similar orders for other states.

Domestic Production Milestone

Kyrgyzstan has printed 20 and 50 som banknotes on its own territory for the first time in its independent history, the National Bank said on September 11, 2026. The announcement was made as part of celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's independence. The National Bank said the work was carried out in fulfillment of a presidential order. The regulator described the first domestic printing as an important step toward strengthening Kyrgyzstan's economic independence and state sovereignty.

Production Background

For more than 30 years, Kyrgyz som banknotes were printed outside the country. In March 2025, Economist.kg reported that production of Kyrgyz soms had been launched at the Uchkun open joint-stock company. Melis Turgunbaev, then head of the National Bank, said at the time that the enterprise would initially print small-denomination banknotes to replace worn-out notes. In March 2026, President Sadyr Japarov announced the start of independent printing of the national currency and said Kyrgyzstan had received an international certificate allowing it to fulfill similar orders for other states. In April 2026, the enterprise's management said production would be ramped up in stages, starting with 20 som notes, then 50, 100 and 200 som notes.