KAMAL NATH CALLS FOR IMPROVING BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN INDIA AND KYRGYSTAN

Shri Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, has called for improving the bilateral trade between India and Kyrgystan while observing that the present level of bilateral trade during 2006-07 is of the order of US $ 38 million (exports US $ 37 million and imports US $ 0.77 million). This he said when Mr. Ednan Karabaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, met him here today. He further stated that the relations between the two countries are traditionally close and have over the years been reinforced by close political rapport and meaningful economic cooperation. Both sides discussed the steps for increasing the bilateral trade in the areas of food processing, textiles, agriculture, science & technology, tourism, chemical and pharmaceutical.

Pointing out the difficulties faced by the Indian businessmen in obtaining the Kyrgystan visa, Shri Kamal Nath mentioned about the excellent investment climate in India and the opportunities available for the companies to take advantage of the same. Shri Kamal Nath also emphasized that "Indian skills and capacity in the IT are now globally acknowledged and we can share our expertise in this area with your country".

Major commodities of export to Kyrgystan from India are RMG wool, RMG cotton including accessories, leather goods, handicrafts, machinery & instruments, cosmetics and toiletries etc., while the major commodities that India imports from Kyrgystan are raw wool, manufactures of metals, raw silk, crude minerals, Metalifers ores and metal scrap etc.