Shehbaz, Zhaparov push Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan trade to $200m

PM Shehbaz Sharif received a red-carpet welcome and guard of honor at Kyrgyzstan’s presidential palace in Bishkek before holding talks with President Sadyr Zhaparov.

The two leaders oversaw the signing of multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding covering transit trade, education, science and technology, climate, e-commerce, virtual assets and other areas. 

Addressing a joint press briefing, PM Shehbaz said bilateral trade, currently around $16 million, should be increased to $200 million annually within the next two years. 

He called for the MoUs to be quickly translated into practical agreements and urged greater cooperation in investment, industry and business-to-business engagement.

The prime minister also highlighted transit connectivity and the CASA-1000 energy project, while the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including security, education, health, technology and tourism.