Kyrgyzstan shows interest in strengthening trade and economic relations with the European Union. This is demonstrated by the words of the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov at the second economic forum "European Union - Central Asia" in Almaty.
The trade turnover of Kyrgyzstan with the EU countries in 2022 increased by 76.1%, while exports grew by 60.6%, and imports by 78.6%, Zhaparov said.
“To a large extent, this was due to the successful implementation of the Generalized Preference Scheme (GSP +) for benefits, in which we are grateful to our partners from the EU. The “Generalized Scheme of Preferences” has opened the market of 28 EU countries with a population of over 508 million people with a high level of purchasing power for entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan,” Zhaparov said, according to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan.
Today, within the framework of cooperation with the EU, the republic is implementing projects for the rehabilitation of the Toktogul HPP, the modernization of the Uch-Kurgan HPP and the project for commissioning the second hydroelectric unit of the Kambarata HPP-2. This year, the reconstruction of the At-Bashi HPP was completed and work began on the construction of two HPPs on the Chatkal River with a capacity of 1,800 MW. Contractors and consultants from France and Germany were involved in these projects. At the beginning of this year, a roadmap was signed between Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for the construction of infrastructure and facilities of the preparatory stage and updating the feasibility study for the Kambarata HPP-1, one of the most promising and significant hydropower projects in the region. Also, through the efforts of the state and business, the construction of 50 small and medium-sized hydropower plants has already begun.
In Almaty, Zhaparov also met with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis. Zhaparov noted that cooperation with the EU is a priority for Kyrgyzstan. The EU is one of the important trade and economic partners and one of the country's main investors, he stressed. Zhaparov.
A joint document was signed between the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan and the EU within the framework of the Green Economy in the Kyrgyz Republic program, which will be funded by the European Union.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 23, 2023