A Kyrgyzstan-Pakistan Business Forum was organized today in Bishkek by Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyz Republic in collaboration with Kyrgyzstan Trade House Lahore and Embassy of Pakistan Bishkek. A fourteen member Pakistani business delegation headed by Mehr Kashif Younas, Kyrgyz Honorary Consul in Lahore and Dr. Shahid Hasan, President Kyrgyzstan Trade House Lahore participated in the forum which included companies of pharmaceutical, textile, steel, agro-food, logistics and tourism sector. On the Kyrgyz side the forum was attended by large number of private sector companies, major Chambers of Commerce and industries including the CCI, International Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Eurasian Business Group, members of diplomatic corps and representatives of Kyrgyz media.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Avazbek Atakhanov, Kyrgyz Ambassador in Islamabad stated that trade and commercial links between the two countries have developed. He remarked that developing reliable and durable connectivity and strengthening banking channels was crucial to the expansion of commercial relations to the desired level. He informed that Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan intended to sign an agreement on transit trade which would facilitate trade between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Hasan Zaigham stated that Kyrgyzstan demonstrated one of the highest economic growth dynamics in the world i.e. 9.2% this year. Regular visits of business delegations and participation in trade fairs in both countries will help achieve the set goals of increasing the volume of bilateral trade. It was shared that the volume of trade remains significantly below potential level due to lack of information about business opportunities. Pakistan plans to import 3 million bales of cotton worth $1.9 billion this year to offset the shortfall in its own production. This opens up new opportunities for Kyrgyz exporters, given that Kyrgyzstan’s annual cotton production exceeds 600,000 tons.

Vice President of Kyrgyz Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Tolkunai Taalaybekova underlined importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of logistics and transport, technology and Innovation, culture and education and tourism. Ms. Taalaybekova also said that today several large Pakistani companies engaged in the textile industry, pharmaceuticals and agriculture were already operating in Kyrgyzstan by using the opportunities of the Bishkek Free Economic Zone to expand their activities. In addition, a number of Pakistani companies are involved in the trade of medical and industrial goods as well as developing logistics which contributes to the improvement of business relations and the growth of trade turnover between the countries.

Mehr Kashif Younas, Kyrgyz Honorary Consul in Lahore stressed the need for more business to business interactions and invited CCI Kyrgyzstan to bring a commercial delegation to Pakistan next year for improving bilateral commercial ties.

In the end shields and traditional Pakistani Ajrak were presented to the Vice President CCI and the two Ambassadors by Dr. Shahid Hasan, Mehr Kashif Younas and the visiting delegation as souvenirs.

This forum marks an important step toward expanding economic ties and boosting trade between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan.