Present-day bilateral trade of $16m “not a patch” on strong relations between two states, says Premier Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed to take bilateral trade with Kyrgyzstan to $200 million within two years, urging stronger engagement between the two nations.

“Our present day bilateral trade hovers around $16 million which is not a patch on our friendship, our brotherhood and our very strong relations,” the premier remarked while addressing a joint presser alongside Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov at the Kyrgyz presidential palace in Bishkek.

According to the prime minister, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in education, science and technology, and culture.

“During the bilateral talks, focus was placed on promoting trade relations,” he said, adding that both countries wanted to increase bilateral trade to $200 million per annum.

Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan will help expand trade relations between the private sectors, he said.

PM Shehbaz described the transit trade agreement between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan as a welcome development.

He said declaring Lahore and the Kyrgyz city of Osh twin cities would help strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.

PM Shehbaz said that both countries will also work together against terrorism and extremism, and address climate change.

The prime minister thanked the Kyrgyz president for his “excellent hospitality” and congratulated the leadership and people of Kyrgyzstan on Independence Day.

He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and praised its leadership for successfully hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Following their bilateral meeting, the Kyrgyz president personally drove PM Shehbaz to the airport to see him off.