Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia mull prospects for further cooperation
By Abdul Kerimkhanov
Today, Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia have a mutual desire and considerable potential for developing cooperation. This was prove once again, as Kyrgyz Prime Minister Muhammedkaliy Abylgaziyev met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Kyrgyzstan Abdurrahman bin Said Alzhuma.
During the meeting, the parties discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation and prospects for further cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia.
The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction the ongoing development of bilateral relations in the cultural, humanitarian, tourist and other fields of mutual interest, and also thanked the Saudi side for its support and assistance, including through the Saudi Development Fund.
Taking into account the intensification of bilateral contacts and the dynamics of development of relations in the field of tourism, the meeting noted mutual interest in promoting the establishment of direct air links between Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia, which will further increase the number of tourists, increase trade and establish bilateral contacts.
In addition, the Ambassador conveyed an invitation on behalf of the King of Saudi Arabia Salman ibn Abdul-Aziz Al Saud to Muhammadkaly Abylgaziyev to attend the closing ceremony of the Camel Fest ethnic festival, where the Kyrgyz delegation takes an active part.
The head of the government wished success in holding a large-scale ethnic festival and expressed his gratitude to the Saudi side for the invitation.
Earlier, the Saudi Development Fund has approved the allocation of $ 30 million to Kyrgyzstan for projects in the health, education, agricultural and irrigation sectors.
Diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia were established on October 19, 1992.
For 27 years, relations between the two states reached a qualitative level of development: new spheres and forms of cooperation appeared, the exchange of delegations of different levels became more active, the legal base expanded, and the multilateral dialogue strengthened on global and regional issues. These ties are gradually expanding, encompassing the political and economic spheres.
As part of cooperation in the trade and economic sphere between Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia, the first meeting of the Kyrgyz-Saudi Committee for Cooperation (IGC) was held in 2017. During the meeting, two sides discussed issues of strengthening and developing bilateral cooperation in trade spheres and also signed the Minutes of the meeting of the joint intergovernmental committee.
The main areas of cooperation in the trade and economic sphere are the export of drinking water, meat, organic vegetables and fruits.
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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94
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