Prime Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan call for intensification of trade

Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sapar Isakov met today with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulla Aripov in the framework of his participation in the regular meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of Government in Tashkent.

During the meeting, issues of bilateral cooperation in trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres and border regions were discussed.

Sapar Isakov noted that cooperation between the countries is a priority direction in the country’s foreign policy. «We see the activation of our cooperation not on paper, but in deeds. A reciprocal visit at the highest level of the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan created historical prerequisites for the implementation of issues that haven’t been solved for 25 years. This was also facilitated by the efforts of the governments of the two countries,» Sapar Isakov said.

Abdulla Aripov thanked the Kyrgyz government for organizing bilateral talks in Bishkek in late October. According to him, not all the opportunities of bilateral trade and economic relations have been fully realized.

According to Abdulla Aripov, the figure should be increased to $ 500 million. Sapar Isakov noted that doubling the trade turnover between the countries is not a real indicator of bilateral relations, but only the beginning of their development. He assured that the Kyrgyz side is ready to increase the available volumes.

Then the parties discussed the prospects for the development of transport corridors, including China — Kyrgyzstan — Uzbekistan railway, and the relations between the entrepreneurs of the two countries. The Uzbek side invited in the near future to hold the first meeting of heads of border regions in Uzbekistan under the patronage of heads of government.