ISLAMABAD, January 28: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has opened doors to Pak-Kyrgyz trade expansion.
To develop commercial and trade links, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan work and cooperate in a variety of ways, according to a media report. The opening of a branch of the National Bank of Pakistan in 2000 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, is one such case. This NBP branch closed recently, while 22 Pakistani banks are still operating there.
Furthermore, bilateral ties have greatly strengthened, as both countries support and interact with one another at many international forums such as the OIC, UN, ECO, SCO, and others.
Kyrgyzstan is a major provider of hydroelectricity in Central Asia because of its abundant water resources. Pakistan is expected to acquire 1300-megawatt hydel electricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan under the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Programme. By 2023, the project should be completed.
The Quadrilateral Traffic and Transit Agreement (QTTA) between Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, which is part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, offers an excellent communication network between Central Asia and Continued on page 7