Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan target $200m trade

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday instructed their governments to prepare an action plan to raise bilateral trade to $200 million, as the two countries sought to move their economic partnership to a "qualitatively new" level, according to a joint statement shared by the Foreign Office (FO).

The joint statement, issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov following their talks in Bishkek and signing of multiple MoUs, said the leaders had "instructed the competent government authorities to prepare and implement a comprehensive Action Plan aimed at gradually increasing bilateral trade turnover to $200 million, improving mutual trade mechanisms, supporting joint investment projects, developing industrial cooperation and expanding business activity between the two countries".

The leaders also agreed to strengthen the Kyrgyz-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and improve coordination among government bodies, financial institutions and business communities.

They agreed to expand cooperation in "mining and processing industries, agriculture, food, textile and light industries, pharmaceuticals, the halal industry and digital technologies", with a focus on "establishing joint ventures, localizing production, exchanging technologies and implementing mutually beneficial investment projects".

The two sides also welcomed the signing of an agreement between the Kyrgyz Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and stressed the role of the Kyrgyz-Pakistan Joint Business Council in promoting trade and investment.

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan welcomed the signing of a transit trade agreement, which they said would create "qualitatively new opportunities for expanding regional integration, substantially increasing the volume of mutual trade and optimizing logistics routes".

The leaders said the agreement could help turn both countries into "important transport hubs across South Asia and Central Asia".

They also reaffirmed the importance of the Quadrilateral Agreement on Traffic in Transit and agreed to simplify "transport, customs and administrative procedures" and remove obstacles to freight movement.

The sides also agreed to make greater use of Pakistan's seaports to expand Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade and transit opportunities and develop multimodal transport links. They welcomed an agreement between Kyrgyz Post and Pakistan Post on postal services and e-commerce.

The leaders welcomed the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Energy to develop cooperation in electricity, hydropower, renewable energy, energy infrastructure and modern technologies.

They also stressed the "importance of timely implementation of the CASA-1000 project".

The two sides welcomed a memorandum on virtual assets and blockchain technologies, calling it a "qualitatively new stage in deepening bilateral economic partnership". They said it would support financial-market integration, a "secure and transparent digital asset ecosystem", cross-border investment and technological innovation.

Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan also welcomed the Tamchy Special Financial International Territory and expressed interest in links with Pakistani banks, funds, financial institutions and businesses.

The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in culture, science, innovation, education, medical education and tourism, welcoming agreements covering scientific and technological cooperation, education, medical education and academic and research activities.

"These agreements establish a solid legal and institutional framework for scientific and educational cooperation," the statement said, adding that they would facilitate academic mobility and create opportunities to train highly qualified specialists.

The sides agreed to increase tourist flows and welcomed the establishment of a Kyrgyz-Pakistan Joint Working Group on Tourism.

They also reaffirmed cooperation against "terrorism, extremism, transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs", human trafficking, illegal migration and cybercrime.

The two sides welcomed agreements on extradition, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and cooperation against illicit drug trafficking, saying these would provide a legal framework to combat transnational crime and bring law-enforcement cooperation "to a new level".

The leaders also reaffirmed their interest in developing defence cooperation.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to coordination through the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Cooperation Organisation and other international and regional bodies.

Cultural heritage

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Kyrgyzstan's cultural heritage, and underscored the importance of further strengthening the historical, cultural and fraternal ties between the peoples of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The prime minister visited Ala-Archa National Park in the Kyrgyz capital alongside President Sadyr Japarov, where he was given a first-hand look at Kyrgyz culture and centuries-old traditions.

The two leaders were welcomed at the park, where officials briefed the prime minister on Kyrgyz customs and traditions. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz was shown a range of traditional Kyrgyz cultural performances, including folk dances and other traditional arts.

The prime minister watched a display of traditional horsemanship and eagle hunting, alongside other cultural activities showcased during the visit, and expressed keen interest in the rich cultural traditions and centuries-old heritage of the Kyrgyz people.

The visit to Ala-Archa National Park came as part of the Prime Minister's ongoing visit to Kyrgyzstan, during which he has held wide-ranging talks with President Japarov on bilateral, regional and international matters.