Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Erik Beishembiev visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to meet with its executives and representatives of the business community.

Ambassador Beishembiev highlighted the many advantages of trade through Kyrgyzstan for Pakistan, as that is the shortest route to Central Asia.

He said that a Kyrgyz business forum would be organised in November for the private sectors of both countries to further strengthen their business links.

He identified mining, industry, agriculture, banking, textile production, pharmaceuticals and joint ventures for the processing and sale of agricultural products as the most promising areas for bilateral cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan.

He added that his country valued its relations with Pakistan and was keen to develop strong trade and economic ties with it as both sides have great potential to diversify and expand bilateral trade in many areas.

ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan enjoy friendly and cordial relations at the political level that should be transformed into growing trade and economic relations. He stressed that both countries should focus on establishing direct links between their private sectors to explore untapped areas of mutual cooperation.

Senior Vice President Fatma Azim and Vice President Abdul Rehman Khan said that organising single country exhibitions on a reciprocal basis and encouraging frequent exchange of trade delegations was the way forward for promoting business relations between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2020