Envoy for enhancing Pak-Kyrgyzstan economic ties

Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan Ulanbek Totuiaev on Friday emphasised the need to fully tap the existing vast trade potential between the two countries besides further cementing the existing economic relations between the two countries on sound footing.

While inaugurating the Kyrgyzstan Trade House, he said Kyrgyzstan-made products will be displayed to attract Pakistani buyers and investors in diversified sectors. He said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan are enjoying cordial relations, but their bilateral trade of around $8 to $9 million is much below the actual potential of the two countries.

He said both countries were doing trade in limited areas and should focus on diversification of trade to achieve better-desired results. He said that Kyrgyzstan exported coal this year to Pakistan and is a rich country in natural resources, it can supply more products to Pakistan while Pakistan can also export several products to Kyrgyzstan including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agricultural products.

He said Kyrgyzstan is importing marble from India however Pakistani marble exporters also have a good opportunity to capture the market in Kyrgyzstan. Ulanbek Totuiaev said that a China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project would be extended to Peshawar through Afghanistan in the future which would help in boosting trade relations.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2022.