The article is devoted to the main stages of development of light industry in the Kyrgyz Republic from the twenties of the twentieth century to the present day. The main principles of construction of the industry in the Soviet period are considered: rational territorial location, scientific approach in the organization of labor and focus on the growth of labor productivity, creation of vertical chains of production, attention to the training of qualified personnel. Modern trends in the development of the world light industry and the peculiarities of its organization in the Kyrgyz Republic are studied: reduction of textile production, lack of large enterprises, dependence on markets. The article gives proposals for improving the competitiveness of the light industry