Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to strengthen their economic partnership.
An understanding to this effect came during talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek today.
Later in a joint press stakeout, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both the countries will be working on a comprehensive plan of practical measures aimed at gradually increasing bilateral trade to two hundred million dollars, improving trade mechanism, promoting joint investment projects, strengthening industrial cooperation and expanding direct business to business contacts.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan welcomes greater engagement between Pakistani business and financial institutions with their Kyrgyz counterparts to carry forward the shared vision of enhancing bilateral economic cooperation.
The Prime Minister said connectivity remains central to our shared vision of closer economic integration between South Asia and Central Asia. He welcomed the signing of the agreement on transit trade, emphasizing this will help facilitate trade, improve logistics and create new opportunities for regional connectivity.
The Prime Minister said energy cooperation is another very important pillar of our partnership. He said both sides have reaffirmed the importance of timely implementation of CASA 1000 project and welcomed the establishment of a joint working group on energy to develop practical cooperation in electricity, hydropower, renewable energy, energy infrastructure and modern technology.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the areas of education, science and technology, health, culture and tourism. He welcomed the establishment of sister city relationship between Lahore and Osh.
Shehbaz Sharif said security and defense cooperation also featured prominently in their discussions. He said both the sides have reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism and other contemporary threats.
He said we agreed to deepen cooperation on environment and climate issues.
The Prime Minister said they concurred that effective multilateralism is key to resolving priority issues of the day and achieving global peace and stability. He said we remain committed to working together at the UN and other multilateral fora.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan regards Kyrgyzstan as its most important and valued partner in Central Asia.
In his remarks, the Kyrgyz President said that at a time when international tensions are increasing, strengthening friendship, deepening mutual understanding and developing cooperation are more important than ever.
He mentioned that the joint statement signed after talks reflects their shared vision for the further development of Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations and sets out the main priorities for cooperation in the coming period.
The Kyrgyz President said economy should be one of the main pillars of the Kyrgyz-Pakistani partnership. Therefore, both the countries agreed to take systematic steps to increase bilateral trade, expand the range of traded goods and attract investment.
He said the two sides have readiness to implement joint projects in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, light industry, tourism, the digital economy, virtual assets and other areas.
Sadyr Japarov said Pakistan’s seaports provide Kyrgyzstan with a natural route to the markets of South Asia and, further, to global trade routes.
Sadyr Japarov said Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan have traditionally maintained close cooperation within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organization. Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan expressed readiness to continue regular political dialogue and coordination on international platforms.
He congratulated Pakistan on assuming the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Earlier Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed several MOUs and agreements for promotion of cooperation in different fields including transit trade, combating the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, education, academic research, science and technology, environment and climate change, virtual assets, postal services and e-commerce. An agreement was signed on establishment of sister city relations between Lahore and Osh.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also signed a joint statement.
