Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to breathe new life into their economic partnership, setting an ambitious target to raise bilateral trade to $100 million in the coming years.
The understanding was reached during the fifth session of the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, held in Islamabad on Monday.
Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari, who co-chaired the meeting, acknowledged that the current trade volume—just over $5 million in 2024-25—fell far short of potential.
“We recognise the pressing need to revitalise our trade engagement and are committed to achieving the $100 million milestone,” he said, calling for consistent efforts across trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Edil Baisalov, led the Kyrgyz delegation. Both sides highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties that underpin their modern partnership.
Finalizing of long long-pending MoU
Leghari stressed that expanding business-to-business interaction, reviving the Pakistan-Kyrgyz Joint Business Council, and finalising a long-pending MoU on customs data exchange would be vital to removing trade bottlenecks.
He also noted encouraging progress in the newly formed Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment, which is expected to fast-track the Pakistan-Kyrgyz Transit Trade Agreement, a move that could strengthen regional connectivity.
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Key sectors identified for growth include
- Textiles
- Pharmaceuticals
- Minerals
- Tourism
- Information technology
Kyrgyzstan’s offer to permit National Logistics Corporation access to the At-Bashi Logistics Centre was assumed as a significant step in boosting trade routes.
Promoting tourism and cultural exchange
Beyond commerce, both sides were agreed that tourism and cultural exchange may lead to the deepening of people-to-people ties. Plans are underway to sign a tourism MoU
- Expand air links
- Encourage joint participation in international exhibitions
Education and health also featured prominently, with Pakistan offering technical training under PTAP and exploring pharmaceutical cooperation, including vaccine production ventures.
Leghari concluded by emphasizing that the partnership must move “from vision to enduring outcomes,” rooted in mutual respect and regional peace. The session reflected a renewed determination to transform shared aspirations into concrete results.