UNIPATH STAFF
The Kyrgyz Republic wants to revive trade and business with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country that could provide economic security in the form of investments in power generation, mining, transport, infrastructure, agriculture and the halal industry.
“The trade relations with UAE have seen times of dynamic growth while UAE was one of our top five trading partners,” Kyrgyz Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Abdyldaev said during a January 2017 visit to the UAE. “We welcome Emirati investors, government and private companies of the UAE to visit the Kyrgyz Republic and explore business opportunities.”
These and other potential partnerships would aid in both countries’ continued economic development, thereby increasing security and stability in the region. Traditionally, the Kyrgyz Republic exports items made of precious metals to the UAE. In an interview with Gulf News, Abdyldaev noted that Emiratis could also import fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, livestock and water “straight from our glaciers and springs.”
Abdyldaev cited bilateral cooperation with Gulf countries as “one of the priorities” of the Kyrgyz Republic’s foreign policy, noting that successful talks have culminated in the signing of 19 bilateral agreements, eight with the UAE.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohammad Faraj Mazroui visited the Kyrgyz Republic in 2016 to identify possible future areas of cooperation, Abdyldaev said. The republic seeks to expand projects in power generation, hydropower and mining. With a “favorable” business environment, the Kyrgyz Republic already welcomes entrepreneurs from China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey.
Abdyldaev also noted that his country and the UAE share priorities and strategies for countering extremism.
“Our national efforts on this subject correspond with current initiatives of the UAE to encourage ideas of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, interfaith dialogue and cultural diversity,” he said. “The ideas and provisions of Emirates’ National Program of Tolerance naturally coincide with those of our national concept in religious affairs.” Source: Gulf News