Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov took part in the official opening ceremony of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund. 

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov noted that the Republic of Uzbekistan is one of the key trade and economic partners of the Kyrgyz Republic.

“As part of the state visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Uzbekistan last spring, agreements were reached aimed at unlocking the potential of our bilateral relations. Today we are witnessing the first results of the implementation of the agreements reached then. The Kyrgyz Republic is ready to take decisive action to increase the volume of trade. Today, projects for the construction of logistics centers near the Kyrgyz-Uzbek borders are in the active phase of implementation. Particular attention is paid to the construction and launch of a trade and logistics center in the city of Kyzyl-Kiya, linking Ferhgana and Batken regions. I am sure that the launch of this trade and logistics center will give a powerful impetus to the development of export-import operations between our countries,” the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers stated.

According to him, the development of a feasibility study for a highway connecting the city of Kyzyl-Kiya with the Irkeshtam checkpoint on the border with the People’s Republic of China has already begun.

“There are also plans to build a logistics center. Thus, the Kyrgyz Republic is ready to act as a transit bridge between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China. Such promising infrastructure projects are considered by the Cabinet of Ministers as a matter of priority in order to create favorable conditions. We are also ready to ensure and increase the volume of supplies to the Republic of Uzbekistan of cement, coal, potatoes, meat, milk and dairy products,” he said.

Akylbek Japarov stressed the importance of the agreements reached during the meeting of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek Council of Heads of Border Regions, which was recently held in the city of Osh.

“I am sure that all our plans and agreements will be implemented in the near future. The relevant state bodies agreed on almost all issues on the implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project, which will connect us with the countries of South Asia. In the future, we must actively use the transport potential of this highway.

“I am convinced that the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund will become an effective platform for the implementation of mutually beneficial investment projects, will make a great contribution to strengthening direct ties between business entities, and also contributes to the opening of new joint ventures,” said Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov.

In turn, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov noted that thanks to the political will of the leaders of the two states, bilateral cooperation has reached a qualitatively new level.

“A powerful incentive for restarting relations between states was the visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Uzbekistan. I would like to note that the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan attach priority importance to cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic,” summed up Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Sardor Umurzakov.

The authorized capital of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund is 50 million US dollars. In the future, its capital will be increased to 200 million US dollars. The headquarters of the organization is located in Bishkek.