PM Shehbaz says Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan will work towards expanding bilateral trade to $200m

Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expects Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan to raise bilateral trade to $200 million. Speaking in Bishkek alongside Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov after several memoranda were signed, he described current trade of about $16 million as far below the strength of the ties. He called for the memorandum to be turned into a binding agreement so the target could be reached within two years.

Talks also covered a transit trade agreement, simpler transport and customs procedures, and a joint energy working group focused on electricity, hydropower and renewables. Cooperation was also expanded across education, science, healthcare, culture and tourism. Security, defence and counterterrorism ties featured in the discussions as well.

Signed documents include a transit trade accord, an extradition treaty and an accord between the two countries' chambers of commerce. Agreements were also reached on virtual assets, postal services and online commerce, along with a sister-city link between Lahore and Osh.