Kyrgyzstan keen to join CPEC and benefit from Gwadar Port

Islamabad: Kyrgyzstan is interested to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and benefit from the tremendous trade opportunities offered by the Gwadar Port.

These were the remarks by the Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan Ulanbek Totuiaev during a Seminar on ‘Business, Education and Tourism (BET) Opportunities in Kyrgyzstan’ organized by The Diplomatic Insight, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Riphah International University, Islamabad.

Ambassador Ulanbek Totuiaev highlighted that the geostrategic position of Kyrgyzstan at the crossroads between Central Asia and China and further through the Karakoram Pass to Pakistan opens up excellent opportunities for regional trade and economic cooperation, as well as establishing ties in all areas of mutual interest.

Nowadays bilateral trade and economic cooperation are currently low and do not correspond to the potential of the two countries, he shared. During his speech, the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan told the audience that the country is a dynamically developing diversified economy, where foreign investors are widely represented, including from Pakistan.

He informed that investing in the Kyrgyz Republic is profitable and easy as the main factors are the liberal trade regime, full protection of investments, and unlimited repatriation of profits, as well as currency exchange freedom, low business costs, an educated workforce, and direct access to state authorities.

The Ambassador has highlighted the strong ties between the Kyrgyz Republic and Pakistan that are traditionally characterized as fraternal and friendly. Moreover, the relations between the two countries have been marked by active mutual contacts and bilateral events, he added.

He recalled that Pakistan was among the first to recognize the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic. “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our countries enjoy excellent political relations and regularly exchange visits on the highest levels. During the last 30 years, our countries exchanged presidential visits twice, Kyrgyz Prime Ministers visited Pakistan twice, Pakistani Prime Ministers came to Kyrgyzstan four times and Speakers of the Kyrgyz parliament visited Pakistan twice,” he mentioned.

In this context, he maintained, it was important to note that on December 15 “our Honorable Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev will arrive in Islamabad to participate in the Extraordinary Session of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) Council of Foreign Ministers on December 16-17.”

The Ambassador also highlighted that Kyrgyzstan is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its independence this year. During the last 30 years, Kyrgyzstan has steadily and peacefully developed on the way to democracy and freedom.

Currently, he remarked, Kyrgyzstan is passing through an important period of political changes. “Presidential elections held in January, this year, resulted in the victory of former Prime Minister Sadyr Zhaparov, who became a new head of state,” he stated.

Farhat Asif, Founder Chairperson Diplomatic Insight Group shared her remarks on the aims and objectives of BET series seminars along with the institutional profiles of The Diplomatic Insight and Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies.

Dr Rashid Aftab, Director, Riphah Institute of Public Policy spoke on the occasion. A large number of students, faculty members, and media representatives were present on the occasion.