Forthcoming Official Visit of Kyrgyz President to Kazakhstan

On April 9, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov attended a meeting in Bishkek with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Japarov, to discuss an official visit by the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov to Kazakhstan, on April 18-19. Akylbek Japarov emphasized the existing potential to increase the volume of trade turnover between the two countries which already amounts to $2 billion this year. In 2023, trade between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan amounted to $1.317 billion, an increase of 11.6% compared to 2022. Bektenov, in turn, stated Kazakhstan’s readiness to increase its exports by $260 million. The parties noted that the planned launch of an Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border promised a multiplier effect and additional impetus to trade, economic, and investment cooperation. As the use of transboundary water resources for irrigation remains a vital issue in bilateral relations, the Kazakh prime minister emphasized the importance of approving operating modes of water management facilities for interstate use for the growing season of 2024. The meeting also addressed the need for collaboration to increase the transit capacity of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border. The Concept for the Development of the Transit and Transport Potential of Kazakhstan, in place until 2030, covers the construction and reconstruction of checkpoints of Karasu, Besagash, Aukhatty, Sartobe, Aisha Bibi, Sypatai Batyr, and Kegen.