Comments on: US military bases – the economic impact

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

As far as wages go, I do find it quite plausible that the US military pays up to 10 times the local average. Judging from Uzbeks I know who have worked for the US government, I’d say that most get something like 3-5 times more than the average wage. I could be totally wrong though.

As far as the rest of the money goes, I’m not sure, but I’m sure there are all kinds of ridiculously expensive fees, rents, and whatnot that must be paid. And I’m sure local companies and businessmen are making a pretty penny for all manner of provisions and services.

$156,000 per day sounds like the US government working on the cheap to me!

By: Brendon Carr

Brendon Carr — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

What about the money spent on the economy by the US personnel, civilian and military? Rent, booze, companionship, and tattoos — all the essentials.

By: michael

michael — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I worked with US embassy local staff in Bishkek just before the base opened at Manas. Security guards were making btwn 500-800 USD per month. Drivers were making less. Technical staff(plumbers, electricians) about the same as the guards. Most of the guards were highly educated, better than I was in a lot of cases with graduate degrees. There were also elite former “sportsmen” a former soviet wrestling champion among others.

The jobs were highly coveted and the embassy could have their pick of overqualified applicants because there are so few other opportunities of any kind in Kyrgyzstan.

Another way the US pumps money into the KG economy is through rental accomodation. Embassy expat staff are housed in relative opulence compared to locals or even to what a federal bureaucrat could expect to find in the US and the embassy pays above market rates for most places.

With the base at Manas a lot of the money was going straight into Akaev family coffers since Akaev’s son in law own(ed) the company that provided airport services and fuel.

By: Registan.net

Registan.net — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Speaking of Military Matters

While we’re on the topic of military relations, Andy has an interesting post on the economic impact of the US base in Kyrgyzstan.

Now, of course, if the base really is worth 5% to the Kyrgyz economy – or even a figure even remotely approaching that …