ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade, transport links and investment cooperation at the second Forum of Interregional Cooperation in Bishkek, as the two countries seek to increase bilateral trade to $3 billion.
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov spoke at the forum in Bishkek, reaffirming commitment to expanding trade, transport links and investment cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic. Photo credit: PM’s press service.
Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers Chairman and Presidential Administration Head Adylbek Kasymaliyev attended the forum during Bektenov’s official visit to Kyrgyzstan.
The event brought together regional leaders, government officials and business representatives from both countries to discuss joint projects in trade, investment, industry, transport and logistics, and tourism.
Bektenov emphasized the importance of strengthening comprehensive allied relations with Kyrgyzstan.
Kasymaliyev said bilateral cooperation had reached a new level and described the interregional forum as an important mechanism for strengthening ties. He noted the longstanding connections between Kyrgyzstan’s Chui, Talas and Issyk-Kul regions and Kazakhstan’s Almaty and Zhambyl regions, adding that cooperation extended beyond border areas to direct partnerships between cities and regions.
Trade and cross-border investment
Kyrgyzstan is one of Kazakhstan’s key trading partners. Bilateral trade rose 33% in 2025 to $2.4 billion and then another 20% in the first months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to government figures.
Bektenov said the two countries’ presidents set a target to increase bilateral trade to $3 billion. Border regions are expected to play an important role in achieving that goal. Kazakhstan’s Almaty and Zhambyl regions border Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul, Talas and Chui regions. The two countries’ shared state border stretches approximately 1,200 kilometers.
Zhambyl Region was highlighted as a key center for cross-border trade and logistics. Seven of the eight border checkpoints between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are located there, and more than 1,000 enterprises with Kyrgyz participation operate in the region.
The sides also discussed the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex project being implemented in Zhambyl Region as a potential driver of joint economic activity.
Transport and tourism links
Transport cooperation also featured prominently at the forum. Rail freight between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan increased 10% in 2025 to 6.8 million tons. During the first nine months of 2026, rail shipments reached 5.1 million tons, up 8.3% year on year.
Road freight volumes rose 37% in 2025 to 3.7 million tons. The transition to electronic transport permit exchanges was highlighted as an important step toward simplifying cross-border procedures.
The two countries also see opportunities to expand cooperation in mountain, ecological, beach and business tourism. According to the government’s figures, more than 4 million mutual tourist trips were recorded in the first nine months of 2026.
New regional agreements signed
The forum concluded with the signing of documents to strengthen interregional and business ties. The agreements include a plan to develop sister-city relations between Almaty and Bishkek for 2026–2030, establish sister-city relations between Turkistan and the Kyrgyz city of Manas, and create a partnership between the Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort area in Kazakhstan and the Issyk-Kul resort area in Kyrgyzstan.
Other agreements provide for expanded cooperation with Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul, Jalal-Abad and Naryn regions. The sides also signed commercial documents to promote trade, exports and Kazakh products in the Kyrgyz market.
The forum took place as preparations for the 14th meeting of the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Intergovernmental Council continued in Bishkek. Both sides confirmed their interest in developing joint production, trade, transport infrastructure and tourism as part of their broader strategic partnership.
