ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan trade house will be established to bolster the strong trade linkages between the two countries.

The trade house, a first of its kind, was announced by Ulanbek Totuiaev, the ambassador of the Kyrgyz republic, at a seminar on ‘30 years of Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan relations: progress and prospects’ organised by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, the embassy of Kyrgyz Republic and Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Riphah International University.

Global Business Alliance, a growing network of traders, has initiated the concept in collaboration with the embassy of Kyrgyzstan.

Speaking on the occasion, the ambassador said strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan reflected that both nations were ready to build the next decades of future cooperation.

Says possibilities being explored to start direct flights between both countries

He also highlighted the important ongoing projects between the states and the region where both count ries collaborate, especially building on the connectivity projects. The ambassador said a large number of Pakistani students were studying in educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan.

Both countries are also exploring the possibilities of opening direct flights from both sides.

Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies President Farhat Asif spoke on the historical ties between the two states and the background of hosting the seminar.

Prof Dr H. Sohail Naqvi, Rector University of Central Asia, Bishkek, highlighted the growing bilateral ties in education, training and collaboration on student exchange between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Former president of ECO Science Foundation Dr Manzoor Soomro spoke about the early year education and prospects for collaboration between the two countries.

Director of Riphah Institute of Public Policy Dr Rashid Aftab congratulated the Kyrgyz ambassador on the 30th anniversary of the bilateral ties.

Commenting on the current monsoon disaster, he said Pakistan was bestowed with glacial mountain ranges which gave the country abundant freshwater sources. There is an issue of water management rather than water deficiency, he added.

He emphasised establishing stronger trade ties and mutual collaboration in the agricultural and education sectors between both the countries for the region’s sustainable development.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2022