Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad as part of the meeting of the heads of government of the SCO member states. This was reported by the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers.
During the meeting, Akylbek Japarov noted the significant potential for trade and economic cooperation between the countries, which, in his opinion, “has not yet been fully realized.”
“Trade turnover between our countries is still at a low level; in 2023, it amounted to about 20 million US dollars. I propose that we jointly increase it to at least 100 million dollars next year, and in the medium term – to 500 million dollars,” said Akylbek Japarov.
According to him, a quadripartite agreement on transit cargo transportation has been signed between Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, which gives Kyrgyzstan access to the sea through Pakistan.
“In this regard, there has been an unprecedented increase in the cost of the Karakoram Highway. Unfortunately, for various reasons, this unique transport corridor is still in the initial phase of its operation, and we need to jointly bring this important highway to maximum capacity as soon as possible,” Akylbek Japarov noted.
In addition, he proposed creating a Kyrgyz-Pakistani business council to strengthen cooperation between entrepreneurs of the two countries and holding its first meeting in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2025.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in turn, thanked Kyrgyzstan for its support in the vote for the country’s non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in 2025-2026 and expressed interest in developing mutually beneficial cooperation.
The parties also discussed issues of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including the exchange of experience in the field of education.
At the end of the meeting, Akylbek Japarov invited Shehbaz Sharif to visit the Kyrgyz Republic.
Source: https://vesti.kg/zxc/item/130866-kyrgyzstan-i-pakistan-namereny-uvelichit-tovarooborot-do-usd100-millionov.html