ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on Thursday agreed to increase bilateral trade volume from the current $15 million to $200 million within the next two years.
The development follows the signing of several key agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan during a high-level ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov witnessed the signing of multiple MoUs spanning mining, geosciences, energy, culture, tourism, foreign services, and prisoner exchange.
In a symbolic move to enhance people-to-people ties, Islamabad and Bishkek were also declared twin cities.
Welcoming President Zhaparov, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the visit as “historic and highly significant” for bilateral relations.
He said Pakistan places great value on its partnership with Kyrgyzstan, noting that the agreements represent a major step toward deeper cooperation.
“We have reaffirmed our collective resolve to elevate our relations,” the prime minister said, adding that the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum will help open new avenues for trade, investment, and economic collaboration.
Pakistan offers Kyrgyzstan access to global markets
The prime minister noted that Pakistan serves as a gateway to the Indian Ocean and is ready to provide Kyrgyzstan with access to regional and global markets through its ports.
He said the discussions underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges through cultural initiatives, tourism promotion, and academic partnerships.
Both sides agreed to organise cultural events in each other’s countries—an initiative he said would further strengthen the deep-rooted friendship and brotherhood between the two nations.
In his remarks, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov affirmed that Pakistan is an important partner for Kyrgyzstan in South Asia.
He praised Pakistan’s dynamic progress, growing economic development, and ambitious infrastructure projects, calling them a testament to the prime minister’s vision and leadership.
Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan cooperation
President Zhaparov added that the two delegations held extensive discussions on current priorities and future prospects for Kyrgyz-Pakistani cooperation, with particular focus on boosting collaboration in trade, economy, investment, transport, logistics, education, and science.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Security Advisor Lieutenant General Asim Malik, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.
The visit also comes amid renewed discussions on CASA-1000, a $1.2 billion electricity transmission project aimed at delivering surplus hydropower from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Although the project has faced years of delays due to security challenges and financing hurdles, Islamabad and Bishkek reiterated their commitment to advancing it during the talks.
In recent years, Pakistan has exported an estimated $5–8 million worth of goods to Kyrgyzstan, with minimal imports in return.
