CIS states need to develop existing, form new transportation corridors - Kyrgyz PM

BISHKEK. Oct 28 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov has spoken in favor of revising the restrictions on food export in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), saying barriers and inspections on the CIS borders should be set to a minimum.

"It is necessary to revise the restrictions on food export, to minimize various barriers and inspections on the borders," Japarov said at a meeting of the CIS Heads of Government Council in Astana on Friday.

It is necessary to develop existing transportation corridors and form new ones, he said.

"We can only reduce dependence on imported components in the economy of the association by implementing joint innovations, investment projects and only through common efforts. This requires, above all else, full use of the potential of the CIS free trade zone agreement and maximum simplification of terms for commodity and investment flows," the Kyrgyz prime minister said.

According to data provided by Japarov, the foreign trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and the other CIS countries increased 29.7% year-on-year in January-August. Exports grew up by 41% and imports rose by 25.7%, he said.