The first Kyrgyz-British Strategic Dialogue was held in London on February 13, focusing on key areas of cooperation: trade, investment, education, and sustainable development. The meeting resulted in commitments to enhance economic ties, improve educational exchanges, and collaborate on green initiatives, with the UK positioned as a critical partner for Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth.
On February 13, the inaugural Kyrgyz-British Strategic Dialogue took place in London, co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Meder Abakirov and UK Minister of State Stephen Doughty. This meeting aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas such as politics, security, trade, investment, finance, energy, culture, education, and tourism, as reported by the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry.
Deputy Minister Abakirov highlighted the Strategic Dialogue as an innovative platform to further deepen relations between Kyrgyzstan and the UK, indicating that future meetings will be held regularly to bolster this cooperation. The discussions included key focus areas:
1. Expanding trade and investment, targeting British investors, and boosting Kyrgyz exports to the UK.
2. Enhancing educational and scientific exchanges with scholarship programs and digital education initiatives.
3. Collaborating on joint initiatives regarding the green economy, climate change, and sustainable development.
The UK serves as a vital economic partner for Kyrgyzstan, with bilateral trade reaching £144 million in 2024, reflecting a 73.5% increase year-over-year. Since June 2023, Kyrgyzstan has participated in the UK’s Developing Countries Trade Scheme, which allows approximately 8,000 Kyrgyz products preferential or duty-free access to the UK market.
In December 2024, the UK Export Finance (UKEF) agency approved a £1.8 billion soft loan for Kyrgyz sectoral projects. Additionally, funding has been pledged by the British government to develop a national strategy for critical minerals in Kyrgyzstan, facilitated by the Boston Consulting Group. This initiative includes digitizing geological data to attract further investments in the mining sector.
Furthermore, negotiations are underway with the London Stock Exchange to prepare Kyrgyz state-owned enterprises for initial public offerings (IPOs), enhancing the potential for foreign investment.
The first Kyrgyz-British Strategic Dialogue marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations, focusing on diverse sectors such as trade, education, and sustainability. The UK’s economic partnership is crucial for Kyrgyzstan, with substantial trade growth and initiatives aimed at attracting investment. Continued cooperation through this strategic dialogue is expected to foster further advancements.
Original Source: timesca.com
