BISHKEK/ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday signed an agreement to raise their bilateral trade volume to US$ 200 million within two years, amid Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif calling the current annual trade of US$ 16 million between the two countries far too low given the depth of their relationship.
The agreement was signed at Bishkek airport shortly before the prime minister’s departure for home, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev putting pen to paper and exchanging the documents. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were both present at the ceremony.
Speaking to media at the airport, the prime minister said the two sides had held positive meetings and, alongside discussions on other matters, had agreed to expand trade between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. He said the two countries enjoyed good, brotherly relations, but that annual trade of just US$ 16 million was extremely low compared to the strength of the bilateral relationship.
The prime minister said he had proposed to the Kyrgyz President that, instead of a memorandum of understanding, the two countries signed a full agreement to raise bilateral trade to US$ 200 million within two years, calling it an important step toward achieving that target. He said President Japarov had agreed to the proposal, and the agreement was accordingly signed at the airport.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Japarov for agreeing to the accord aimed at taking bilateral trade to US$ 200 million within two years.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic agreed to work toward raising bilateral trade from roughly $16 million to $200 million within the next two years, describing the current trade volume as far short of what the two countries’ friendship warrants.
The prime minister flanked by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov addressed a joint press stakeout following a ceremony in which the two countries signed a series of agreements across trade, health, science, defence education and other sectors. Speaking in the Kyrgyz capital against the backdrop of the Tien Shan mountains, the prime minister thanked President Japarov and the Kyrgyz government and people for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He conveyed Pakistan’s greetings to the people of Kyrgyzstan on their independence day, and congratulated the country on hosting the World Nomad Games, noting he had attended the opening ceremony two nights earlier.
He said the two sides had agreed their economic partnership must move into a more practical, results-oriented phase, with a comprehensive plan to gradually raise bilateral trade, improve trade mechanisms, promote joint investment, strengthen industrial cooperation and expand business-to-business contacts.
Earlier, President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov welcomed the prime minister and his delegation on their official visit and called Pakistan “a trusted and important partner of Kyrgyzstan”.
He extended his gratitude to the prime minister for accepting his invitation and appreciated his repetitive meeting with him in Bishkek, following his state visit to Pakistan in December last year. He underscored that Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations have gained unprecedented momentum in a short span of time. Following his official visit to Pakistan, he said President Asif Ali Zardari paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan in July this year.
President Japarov said the high-level contacts between the two brotherly countries in such a short period are clear evidence of the strong mutual trust and their shared commitment to bringing Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations to a new level.
The Kyrgyz president noted that amid rising international tensions, strengthening friendship, deepening mutual understanding and developing cooperation are more important than ever.
“Today, Prime Minister Sharif and I held meaningful and productive talks in a friendly and brotherly atmosphere and discussed promising areas of cooperation. As a result of our talks, we signed a Joint Statement,” he said.
Also, PM Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday praised Kyrgyzstan’s cultural heritage, and underscored the importance of further strengthening the historical, cultural and fraternal ties between the peoples of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The prime minister visited Ala-Archa National Park in the Kyrgyz capital alongside President Sadyr Japarov, where he was given a first-hand look at Kyrgyz culture and centuries-old traditions.
The two leaders were welcomed at the park, where officials briefed the prime minister on Kyrgyz customs and traditions. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz was shown a range of traditional Kyrgyz cultural performances, including folk dances and other traditional arts.
The prime minister watched a display of traditional horsemanship and eagle hunting, alongside other cultural activities showcased during the visit, and expressed keen interest in the rich cultural traditions and centuries-old heritage of the Kyrgyz people.
The visit to Ala-Archa National Park came as part of the Prime Minister’s ongoing visit to Kyrgyzstan, during which he has held wide-ranging talks with President Japarov on bilateral, regional and international matters.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday was given red carpet welcome and a guard of honour as he arrived at Kyrgyzstan presidential palace Yntymak Ordo (Palace of Unity) to meet President Sadyr Zhaparov.
As the prime minister arrived at the venue of the formal welcome reception, he was warmly received by President Zhaparov.
The national anthems of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan were played as the two leaders stood at the salute dais.
The smartly-turned out contingents of the Kyrgyz armed forces presented guard of honour which was reviewed by the prime minister, who was in Bishkek to attend the meeting of the Council of Heads of States of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Both leaders introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding for their meeting which would feature discussions on bilateral as well as regional matters.
PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Kyrgyzstan concluded on an unprecedented note of hospitality, as Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov personally drove the vehicle to see him off at the airport.
The extraordinary gesture by President Japarov, who took the wheel himself to bid farewell to the prime minister, was widely seen as a reflection of the exemplary hospitality extended to the visiting Pakistani delegation and the depth of the warmth characterising ties between the two countries.
