14:42, 26 января 2023, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Tatyana KUDRYAVTSEVA
Uzbekistan is one of the main trading partners of Kyrgyzstan. The Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov said at the Kyrgyz-Uzbek Business Forum.
According to the results of 11 months of 2022, the trade turnover between the two states amounted to $543.2 million. Compared to the same period in 2021, it increased by 21 percent.
«These are, of course, not the limit figures for bilateral trade of strategic partners. I hope that in the near future the trade turnover will reach billions of dollars. We need to intensify contacts between manufacturers, manufacturers’ associations, Chambers of Commerce and other business associations of our countries. At the same time, it is necessary to effectively build cooperation mechanisms, minimizing bureaucracy and developing direct contacts between business circles, ensuring the free movement of goods and investments,» Akylbek Japarov stressed.
He told that within the framework of the state visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kyrgyzstan, it was planned to sign an agreement on cooperation in organizing the production of automotive and commercial vehicles in the Kyrgyz Republic. The head of the Cabinet is sure that this enterprise will become exemplary.
«Kyrgyzstan is extremely interested in cooperation in the field of introducing clean energy. Our republic has a high potential for renewable energy sources, the main types of which are hydropower, solar energy, wind energy and geothermal water energy. We invite Uzbek companies to consider the possibility of participating in the construction of small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants in our country. These are projects that will bring not only material, but also environmental dividends for our entire region,» said Akylbek Japarov.
The head of the Cabinet noted that a common approach to the formation and development of transport corridors is extremely important for countries that do not have access to the sea and depend on each other in the field of transit access to international markets. He recalled the cooperation agreement signed in 2022 on China — Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan railway construction project.
«Development of tourism is also of particular importance in deepening our relations. In 2022, about 3 million people arrived from Uzbekistan to have a rest in Issyk-Kul region and visit other sights of Kyrgyzstan. The number of Kyrgyzstanis who go on organized tours to the sights-rich cities of Uzbekistan has also increased. Our countries have a serious potential for achieving comprehensive trade and economic cooperation. We need to provide maximum support to the initiatives of the business community, together create favorable conditions for joint business activities,» Akylbek Japarov concluded.