On 9 December 2021, Bishkek hosted a Workshop on implementation of the Course on Export Control and the Master's program on Strategic Trade Control (STC) at the Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn. The Course on Export Controls was developed at the Department of "Law and Customs" of the Faculty of Law of the University in cooperation with the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) and the Center on Export Controls (CEC) supported by the European Union.

        The introduction of this STC course at KNU demonstrated the need and relevance of continuing the Master's Program in Strategic Trade Control.

       The Workshop was attended by professors of the Kyrgyz National University, the Kyrgyz State University of construction, transport and architecture, government officials and experts from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the KR, State Customs Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the KR, Ministry of Agriculture of the KR, Ministry of Health of the KR, Kumtor Gold Company among others.

        The Workshop addressed issues and presentations on the results of the implementation of the Export Control course and the relevance of further realization of the Master's program on STC, the importance of training export control specialists in Kyrgyzstan, and the development of training programs in this area.

The exchange of experience and ideas with professors and experts from the European Union and Kazakhstan took place.  Prof. Ashat Nametsha, Director of the Central Asian Institute for Development Studies (CAIDS), shared the experience of a similar academic program at the Gumilev Eurasian National University (ENU) and described the problems and challenges of its implementation.

Strategic Trade Control has become one of the most pressing issues today. There is a need for scientific and expert knowledge in the region to identify threats and risks associated with dual-use goods and technologies.  Implementing the Master program on Strategic Trade Control will allow the country to strengthen the control system over dual use and sensitive goods and technologies transfers and minimize the risks of violation of legislation in export control.

This Workshop was organized by the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in the framework of the EU-funded CBRN Targeted Initiative on Export Controls of Dual-Use Materials and Technologies in cooperation with the Export Control Center (https://www.export-control.kg)