Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan Sign Agreement to Boost Bilateral Trade to $200 Million in Two Years

PM Shehbaz Sharif says current $16 million trade volume does not reflect strong bilateral ties; agreement signed in presence of President Sadyr Japarov

BISHKEK / ISLAMABAD — Nazrana Times

Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic have signed an agreement aimed at increasing bilateral trade to $200 million within the next two years, marking a significant step towards strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced the development while speaking to the media at the airport in Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday before departing for Pakistan.
The prime minister said the existing annual bilateral trade volume of around $16 million was far below the potential of the two countries, particularly given their close and longstanding relations.
He thanked Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov for agreeing to turn the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on trade expansion into a formal agreement with a target of reaching $200 million in bilateral commerce over the next two years.

Agreement Signed at Airport

The agreement was formally signed and exchanged at the airport in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Sadyr Japarov.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries.
The development followed discussions between the Pakistani and Kyrgyz leadership on expanding economic engagement and translating their political and diplomatic ties into stronger commercial cooperation.

Shehbaz Sharif Calls for Stronger Economic Partnership

Speaking about his meetings with the Kyrgyz leadership, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the talks had been positive and covered a range of issues of mutual interest.
He stressed that despite excellent and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, the existing trade volume did not adequately reflect the potential of their economic relationship.
The prime minister said he had proposed to President Japarov that rather than limiting the initiative to an MoU, the two sides should enter into a concrete agreement setting a target of $200 million in bilateral trade within two years.
According to Shehbaz Sharif, President Japarov accepted the proposal, paving the way for the agreement to be signed before the Pakistani delegation’s departure.

Focus Shifts From Diplomatic Ties to Trade Growth

The agreement is expected to provide a framework for Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan to expand commercial engagement and explore new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed appreciation to President Japarov for his cooperation and said the agreement could help open a new chapter in economic relations between the two countries.
The $200 million target represents a substantial increase over the current level of bilateral trade and reflects efforts by both governments to translate their traditionally friendly relations into greater economic and commercial cooperation.