BISHKEK — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan aim to raise bilateral trade to $200 million within two years, calling the current figure of roughly $16 million far below the potential of their close relationship.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov at the presidential palace in Bishkek, Sharif underscored the need for stronger economic engagement and greater interaction between the two nations.
Sixteen Agreements Signed Across Multiple Sectors
During the official ceremony, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed 16 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering a broad range of areas. The documents included a cooperation programme between the foreign ministries and an MoU between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the Kyrgyz National Institute for Strategic Initiatives.
The two sides also exchanged documents on a transit trade agreement and an MoU to enhance cooperation between their education ministries. Additional agreements addressed cooperation against narcotics, psychotropic substances and smuggling, as well as collaboration in medical education between the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health.
Other signed documents covered scientific and technical cooperation, environmental protection and climate change, trade promotion between chambers of commerce, and collaboration in the virtual assets sector. A sister-city agreement was established between Lahore and Osh, while the National Defence University Islamabad and the Kyrgyz National Institute for Strategic Initiatives signed an MoU on research cooperation. Postal services and e-commerce cooperation, along with an extradition agreement, were also part of the package.
Joint Declaration Reaffirms Bilateral Commitment
Prime Minister Sharif and President Japarov also signed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to strengthening relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries.
Sharif expressed hope that ties between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would continue to reach new heights. He thanked the Kyrgyz leadership for their hospitality and congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its Independence Day and its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Focus on Trade, Energy and Regional Cooperation
The prime minister described the signing of multiple agreements as the beginning of a broader phase of bilateral cooperation. He said both governments and private sectors would be encouraged to play a greater role in expanding commercial ties, with Pakistan seeking to increase bilateral trade to $2 billion in the longer term.
Sharif welcomed the establishment of a joint ministerial group to advance the CASA-1000 energy project and said the two countries would enhance cooperation in education, science, technology and culture. He also noted that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would work together to combat terrorism and extremism and had reached an understanding on addressing climate change.
President Japarov, for his part, welcomed the prime minister and his delegation, saying Kyrgyzstan wanted to expand bilateral cooperation with Pakistan and saw significant investment opportunities in both countries. He expressed a desire to take bilateral relations to new heights through strengthened high-level contacts.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif received a red-carpet welcome and a guard of honour at the Yntymak Ordo presidential palace. The visit is expected to provide further momentum to Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations and expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
