It is often said that prostitution did not exist under Communism. It did. The sex trade was simply tightly controlled and organised with the tacit approval of the authorities. Certain women were allowed to "entertain" the visiting cadets in a handful of local hard currency bars and restaurants. In an era of general shortage and shabbiness, these women were distinguished by their Western fashions and expensive perfumes. From time to time, the police would organise show raids when the prostitutes were rounded up then released back at the station.
After independence, these women used their experience and overseas contacts to ply a lucrative trade as international pimps. Here Kyrgyz "businesswomen" met patrons, searched out loopholes in the law and studied the mores of potential clients. Returning home to Bishkek, they began to seek out their quarry. They dazzled Kyrgyz girls with promises of well-paid work in Dubai as waitresses and dancers.
Special companies took care of all the travel arrangements. But, as soon as they arrived in Dubai, the girls were relieved of their passports and forced into prostitution by the racketeers.
However, a string of suicides and high-profile scandals forced the cartels to change their tactics. The sex industry turned its attention to call-girls who were already working in Bishkek's flourishing saunas and hotels.
These new courtesans knew exactly what they were getting into and courses were even established to teach manners, dancing and English. From small beginnings, the sex trade to Dubai has ballooned to such an extent that, according to official figures, a total of Kyrgyz "tourists" visited the Gulf state over a nine-month period last year.
