Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan set $200 million bilateral trade target

Islamabad: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have set a $200 million bilateral trade target as Islamabad looks to turn President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Kyrgyzstan into a stronger economic partnership between the two countries.

The development was discussed at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Agha Shazaib Durrani, where officials briefed members on the outcome of the President’s visit and the plans for expanding cooperation with the Central Asian country.

The committee was told that the visit was politically successful and could provide a stronger framework for closer relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Officials said the two countries are focusing on three main areas: increasing trade and investment, improving transport links between Central Asia and Pakistani ports, and expanding cooperation in energy and institutions.

The $200 million trade target was highlighted as an important part of the future relationship. The committee stressed that the real test would be whether the target and other commitments are turned into actual business and economic activity.

Connectivity was also given major importance during the briefing. Officials pointed to the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement as a possible route for improving trade links and connecting Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian markets with Pakistani seaports.

The committee was also informed about cooperation under the CASA 1000 energy project, banking links and efforts to create more direct business to business contacts between companies in the two countries.

Members stressed that agreements alone would not be enough and that both sides would need regular follow-up to make the commitments work on the ground.

The visit was therefore described as a starting point for a more structured Pakistan Kyrgyzstan partnership, with trade, transport, energy and private business cooperation expected to play a central role.

The committee observed that the success of the partnership would depend on continued coordination between the two governments and greater involvement of the private sector to turn the agreed plans into measurable economic results.