First Kyrgyz-British Strategic Dialogue Meeting Held in London
The first meeting of the Kyrgyz-British Strategic Dialogue was held in London on February 13, co-chaired by Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Meder Abakirov and UK Minister of State for Europe, North America, and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty. According to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry, the meeting covered key areas of bilateral cooperation, including politics, security, trade, investment, finance, energy, sustainable development, culture, education, and tourism. Strengthening Bilateral Relations Abakirov emphasized the Strategic Dialogue as a new platform for deepening relations between the two countries. Meetings will be held regularly to advance cooperation. The first session focused on: Expanding trade and investment, attracting British investors to Kyrgyzstan, and increasing Kyrgyz exports to the UK. Enhancing education and scientific exchanges, including scholarship programs and digital education projects. Joint initiatives in the green economy, climate change, and sustainable development. UK-Kyrgyzstan Trade and Investment Growth The UK is a key economic partner for Kyrgyzstan. In 2024, total bilateral trade reached £144 million, a 73.5% increase from the previous year. Since June 2023, Kyrgyzstan has been part of the UK’s Developing Countries Trade Scheme (DCTS), which grants preferential or duty-free access to the UK market for around 8,000 Kyrgyz products. In December 2024, the UK Export Finance (UKEF) agency approved a £1.8 billion soft loan to support sectoral projects in Kyrgyzstan. The British government has also pledged funding for the development of Kyrgyzstan’s national strategy on critical minerals. This project is being carried out by Boston Consulting Group, which is also leading efforts to digitize Kyrgyzstan’s geological data, a move expected to attract further investment in the mining sector. Additionally, negotiations have begun with the London Stock Exchange to prepare Kyrgyz state-owned companies for initial public offerings (IPOs).