The VI meeting of the intergovernmental Kyrgyz-Turkmen commission on trade, economic, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan was held in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan in a narrow and expanded format, Trend reports.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobaev met with the head of the Turkmen delegation, Minister of Energy of Turkmenistan Annageldy Saparov and discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation.
Later the meeting continued in an expanded format. The sides noted that the volume of trade between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan has increased 7 times over the past four years and discussed ways of further growth. In 2023, the volume of trade between the two countries totalled 64 million US dollars.
Bakyt Torobaev emphasised the need to take practical measures to create conditions for joint activities and support the business community. He proposed to consider the possibility of opening a bonded zone in Turkmenistan to develop trade infrastructure and postal operations in the field of e-commerce. He also noted that preferential tariffs for Kyrgyz carriers and simplification of the visa policy for Kyrgyz drivers would significantly expand trade exchange.
The parties reportedly noted the significant potential of the transport and logistics sector of both countries due to their geographical location. In particular, the launch of a transport corridor from China to Turkmenistan via Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan using the port of ‘Turkmenbashi’ will create new economic opportunities, including access to the Caspian Sea and the Russian Federation.
Participants also emphasised the need to establish a Kyrgyz-Turkmen Development Fund to bring together the business communities of both countries and promote joint initiatives.
