‘China-Central Asia rail project should be extended to Peshawar’

The Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan, Ulanbek Totuiaev, on Monday said the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project should be extended to Peshawar through Afghanistan to boost trade relations with Pakistan.

Addressing the business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the envoy said, “Kyrgyzstan wants to enhance trade relations with Pakistan as both countries have the potential to trade in many items.”

“Kyrgyzstan exported 3000 tonnes of coal to Pakistan this year and, being a country rich in natural resources, can supply other items too,” said Totuiaev, adding that the country plans to establish a ‘Kyrgyzstan house’ in Lahore to introduce Pakistani consumers to Kyrgyz products.

“Pakistani mangoes and citruses have great potential in Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan can also export pharmaceuticals, textiles, agricultural products,” suggested the Kyrgyz ambassador.

“Currently, Kyrgyzstan is importing marble from India,” noted the envoy, suggesting that Pakistani marble exporters could use the opportunity to capture the market in the central Asian country.

An investment summit will be held in Kyrgyzstan early next year, the ambassador said, urging Pakistani investors to participate in the summit to explore business and investment opportunities in the country. He also invited ICCI to send a delegation to Kyrgyzstan and assured his embassy’s full cooperation.

ICCI VP Muhammad Zafarul Islam Zafar said, “While Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan enjoy cordial relations, their bilateral trade is only around $8-9m – much lower than the actual potential.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2022.

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