Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Ullanbek Totuiaev has emphasized the deep historical, religious, and cultural ties between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, highlighting the significant potential for bilateral cooperation across various sectors. He underscored the importance of prioritizing trade, economic relations, and investment, noting the mutual benefits for both nations.
He was speaking to the business community here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. LCCI President Kashif Anwar presented the address of welcome while Senior Vice President Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry, former SVPs Kashif Younas Meher, Amjad Ali Jawa, EC members Raja Hassan Akhter, Jabbar Khalid, President Kyrgyz Trade House Dr. Shahid Hassan and former EC member Husnain Raza Mirza were also present.
The Ambassador said that former Lahore Chamber’s SVP Kashif Younis Meher has been appointed as the honorary Consul General of Kyrgyzstan and the establishment of the Kyrgyz Trade House in Lahore was hailed as a positive step to enhance bilateral relations.
Ambassador Totuiaev emphasized Kyrgyzstan’s conducive investment climate, with liberal laws attracting foreign investment and facilitating large-scale projects. He stressed the ongoing efforts to elevate economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan.
He said that joint business forums have been instrumental in fostering collaboration, with plans for more forums in the upcoming year to facilitate the participation of major companies. The Ambassador highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s interest in various sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textiles from Pakistan, while acknowledging challenges such as price competitiveness with other markets. He said that the embassy of Kyrgyzstan offered to provide comprehensive information on sectors like energy, agriculture, and food production to the Lahore Chamber to further bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The Ambassador addressed logistical challenges, including border closures between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and highlighted the significance of the quadrilateral trade transit agreement among Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. He commended initiatives such as the NLC-operated route through Karakoram, reducing transit time significantly.
Moreover, he mentioned the ongoing establishment of railway connections between China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, welcoming Pakistan’s involvement through Afghanistan in this project.
Ambassador Totuiaev also celebrated the significant presence of 12,000 Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan, contributing positively to cultural exchanges between the two nations.
In his welcome address, LCCI President Kashif Anwar said that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan are members of important international organizations like Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) etc. Both countries have been enjoying sound diplomatic relations since 1992.—APP
