In pursuit of its commitment to enhancing regional connectivity, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has achieved another significant milestone by transporting first export cargo from Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan via China under UN mandated Transport Internationaux Routier (TIR) system. In this regard, an NLC truck carrying medicines by Herbion Pakistan has reached Bishkek. On its return journey the truck would bring a consignment of animal skins from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan.

Earlier, two trucks of NLC, laden with mango juice, household appliances, and various other goods, embarked on their journey from Pakistan to Kazakhstan through Kyrgyzstan. The NLC's pioneering transportation endeavours have now paved the way for land-based trade not only with Kyrgyzstan and other landlocked Central Asian Republics (CARs) but also with Russia and other countries of Eastern Europe.

To mark the commencement of land-based trade, a welcome ceremony was held in the Customs Port, Bishkek today which was attended by Kyrgyz Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Tekebaev Tilek Kydyrmaevich, Pakistan's Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Hasan Ali Zaigham, senior officials of Kyrgyz government, Representatives of Association of International Cargo Carriers of Kyrgyzstan and members of the local business community.

The Kyrgyz Minister Tekebaev Tilek inaugurated the ceremony by cutting the ribbon. In his remarks, he expressed his gratitude to the NLC for bringing this consignment and expressed optimism that this route would provide the most economical access to Kyrgyzstan for trade with Pakistan and the rest of the world. He announced that Kyrgyzstan would shortly send a convoy to Pakistan from the same route and urged Kyrgyz private sector and logistical companies to support the initiative. He stated that both Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan were committed to the expansion of their existing commercial relations through revitalization of QATT. He emphasized the need for close cooperation between QATT member states for mutually beneficial regional connectivity.

Ambassador Hasan Ali Zaigham congratulated the NLC for their successful transportation of cargo under the TIR system, hailing it as a pathbreaking initiative which would help boost trade between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. He emphasized that Pakistan offered access to seaports of Gwadar and Karachi to Kyrgyzstan for connecting with the global markets. He expressed Pakistan’s firm resolve boost trade with Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian Republics (CARs) through revitalization of QATT.

Mr. Kiyal Belekovich, Deputy Chairman of Kyrgyz Customs Service in his remarks welcomed the NLC consignment and assured cooperation from his department for promotion of bilateral trade.

5 December 2023

Bishkek,

*******