Kyrgyzstan is ready to serve as a “trade gateway” for Tajik goods to the markets of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliyev said at the first meeting of the Kyrgyz-Tajik Intergovernmental Council on February 13.
AKIpress says the meeting was held in Bishkek under the co-chairmanship of Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda and his Kyrgyz counterpart. The sides confirmed the high level of bilateral political dialogue and particularly welcomed the successful completion of the state border delimitation process between the two countries.
Special attention was given to trade and economic cooperation. According to Kasymaliyev, Kyrgyzstan plans to increase exports of meat and dairy products, garments and textiles, glass products, as well as sugar and coal to Tajikistan. To boost bilateral trade, the parties reportedly proposed developing and signing a roadmap outlining specific measures, implementation stages, and responsible agencies.
Kasymaliyev highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s transport and transit potential. “Kyrgyzstan is ready to act as a ‘trade gateway’ for Tajik goods to the EAEU and European Union markets through the GSP+ system. The implementation of the strategically important China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project will significantly enhance our country’s transit capacity and strengthen its role as a key logistics hub in Eurasia. This corridor will also open up new opportunities for Tajikistan,” he said.
He added that strengthening logistics links should go hand in hand with upgrading border infrastructure and improving the efficiency of border checkpoints. This includes expanding their capacity, developing cargo terminals, and introducing modern digital solutions in customs and border administration.
The parties also discussed the possibility of opening Kyrgyz trade houses in Tajikistan and Tajik trade houses in Kyrgyzstan to promote products, establish direct business contacts, and create sustainable distribution channels.
Both sides expressed interest in implementing joint tourism projects, including the introduction of a single visa for Central Asian countries for third-country nationals. According to the Kyrgyz side, 86,000 tourists from Tajikistan visited Kyrgyzstan in 2025 — twelve times more than in the previous year.
Tajik Prime Minister Rasoulzoda stressed that strengthening good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Kyrgyzstan remains a priority for Dushanbe. He noted that the Intergovernmental Council would serve as an effective platform for advancing joint initiatives and expanding cooperation in energy, transport, agriculture, and other key sectors.
The sides agreed to hold the Days of Culture of Tajikistan in Kyrgyzstan in May. Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Kyrgyz Export Promotion Center and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tajikistan, along with the protocol of the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Council.
Later the same day, Rasoulzoda reportedly met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who underscored the importance of deepening cooperation based on mutual respect and consideration of both sides’ interests, noting that agreements have already been reached in key areas.
Security issues and countering transnational threats — including terrorism, religious extremism, drug trafficking, and organized crime — were also discussed. In this context, the parties considered establishing an Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe and a Center for Combating International Organized Crime in Bishkek within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
