Russia remains Kyrgyzstan's leading trade-economic partner, trade volume up 16% in Jan-April - Mishustin

SOCHI. June 7 (Interfax) - There is big potential in the development of Russian-Kyrgyz projects in digital economy, transport, logistics, agroindustrial cooperation, etc., Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said.

"There is very big potential for launching new joint projects. It's in the sphere of digital economy, in the sphere of transport, logistics, industry, agroindustrial cooperation, tax administration, and many, many things," Mishustin said at a meeting with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov on Wednesday.

Ties between the regions play a big role in expanding trade-economic cooperation, he said. The tenth Russian-Kyrgyz interregional conference will be held in the fall, and an investment forum organized by a Russian-Chinese development fund is scheduled in parallel, he said.

"It is very important for us to prepare joint profitable projects, contracts, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises," Mishustin said.

Speaking about the level of trade interaction, the Russian prime minister said Russia remains a leading trade-economic partner of Kyrgyzstan despite the difficult external economic situation. The countries are working together on geological exploration, processing, digital economy, etc.

"The trade volume went up 16% in January-April to almost 85 billion rubles, or more than 92 billion Kyrgyz som. It is very important that the share of national currencies in mutual settlements has reached 70%," Mishustin said, adding that Russia will continue increasing this level.

Japarov, for his part, said bilateral trade turnover had reached a record level of more than $3.5 billion in 2022.

"Positive dynamics are also observed as regards direct Russian investment in the Kyrgyz economy thanks to the joint efforts to draw the potential of Russian companies, including assistance with relocation of some business chains to Kyrgyzstan," Japarov said.

He said he hopes the potential of trade turnover and investment cooperation will increase.

The Kyrgyz prime minister said the national delegation plans to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. "It's a good thing that the special session Business Dialogue Between Kyrgyzstan and Russia is expected to be held at the forum. Besides, the Kyrgyz delegation will take part in the Innoprom 2023 exhibition for the first time," he said.