Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have reaffirmed their commitment to boosting bilateral trade to $3 billion. This decision was made during the 14th meeting of the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Intergovernmental Council, held in Bishkek on October 30. The meeting was led by Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Kyrgyz Cabinet Chairman Adylbek Kasymaliyev, who focused on strengthening ties in various sectors, including economics, agriculture, transport, water management, and cultural cooperation.
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the importance of Kyrgyzstan as a regional partner and highlighted that increased cooperation in sectors like transport and agriculture would be crucial in achieving the trade target. Kasymaliyev echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the historic and cultural connections between the two nations and the positive trajectory of their bilateral relations.
Trade between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan has shown promising growth. According to Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, bilateral trade rose by nearly 20% in the first eight months of the year, reaching $1.75 billion. In the agricultural sector, trade saw a significant increase of 41.5% in 2025, surpassing $500 million. Kazakhstan plans to further expand its agricultural exports to Kyrgyzstan, including grain, oilseeds, and other food products.
Transport cooperation emerged as a key area of focus, with both countries reporting increased rail and road freight volumes. They agreed to boost the number of electronic transport permits exchanged at their shared border to 5,000 and are working on modernizing eight road border checkpoints. The frequency of scheduled flights between the two countries has also increased by 19%, now totaling 19 per week, which supports both business and tourism.
Discussions also covered the management of shared water resources and environmental protection. Both countries are working on exchanging hydrometeorological data to improve water management. Additionally, digital cooperation initiatives, including artificial intelligence, satellite data, and space-related projects, were on the agenda.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a final protocol, where both sides pledged to implement the agreements reached and deepen cooperation across these critical sectors. This commitment underscores the strong partnership between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and their shared vision for economic growth and regional development.