On July 25, Kyrgyzstan hosted the 6th meeting of the Kyrgyz-Turkmen intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and humanitarian cooperation, chaired by Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers—Bakyt Torobaev, Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, and Annageldi Saparov, Minister of Energy of Turkmenistan.
The parties noted the sevenfold increase in trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan over the past four years and discussed means for further improvement. In 2023, bilateral trade totalled $64 million.
Torobaev proposed opening a joint bonded zone in Turkmenistan to develop trade infrastructure and postal operations in e-commerce. He also noted that providing preferential tariffs for Kyrgyz cargo trucks through Turkmenistan’s territory and simplifying the visa procedure for Kyrgyz drivers will significantly expand bilateral trade exchange.
Due to their geographical locations, the parties emphasized that Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan have significant potential in the transport and logistics sector. In particular, the planned launch of a transport corridor from China through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan, utilizing the Turkmenbashi seaport, will provide access to the Caspian Sea and the Russian Federation, opening up new economic opportunities for both countries.
The meeting addressed the need to continue working on creating a Kyrgyz-Turkmen Development Fund as a mechanism for uniting the two countries’ business sectors and stimulating the creation of joint ventures.
The parties also discussed a project to build a Turkmen resort in Cholpon-Ata at Lake Issyk-Kul.
The Kyrgyz government’s press service stated that the parties signed documents on Kyrgyzstan’s import of Turkmen electricity in 2025 but did not disclose details.
