Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have set a goal to boost their bilateral trade to $3 billion, as reaffirmed during the 14th meeting of the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Intergovernmental Council in Bishkek on October 30. The discussions, led by Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Kyrgyz Cabinet Chairman Adylbek Kasymaliyev, focused on enhancing economic cooperation across several sectors, including agriculture, transport, and digitalisation.
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized the importance of Kyrgyzstan as a regional partner and highlighted the potential for increased collaboration in transport and agriculture to help achieve the trade goal. Chairman Kasymaliyev echoed these sentiments, underscoring the longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two nations and the positive trajectory of their bilateral relations.
Trade between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan has been on an upward trend, with Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev reporting a nearly 20% increase in bilateral trade from January to August 2026, reaching $1.75 billion. Notably, agricultural trade saw a significant rise of 41.5% in 2025, surpassing $500 million. Plans are underway for Kazakhstan to expand its export of grain, oilseeds, and other food products to Kyrgyzstan under a bilateral roadmap.
The two countries are also exploring the development of a cross-border industrial, trade, and logistics complex aimed at enhancing trade flows and strengthening economic links between border regions. Transport cooperation remains a priority, with growth reported in rail and road freight volumes. Both nations have agreed to increase electronic transport permits at their border to 5,000 and are modernizing eight road border checkpoints.
In addition to trade and transport, the meeting addressed shared water resource management, environmental protection, and the exchange of hydrometeorological data. Digital cooperation, including initiatives related to artificial intelligence, satellite data, and space exploration, were also on the agenda.
The meeting concluded with both sides signing a final protocol, committing to implement the agreements and deepen cooperation in key sectors to achieve their mutual economic objectives.